Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/779073
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 29 JANUARY 2017 3 News REQ NO: 95048 Click hsbc.com.mt/onestepcloser Call 2380 2000 Visit your local branch SMS send text message "PERSONAL LOAN" to 7900 2380 (Normal SMS tariffs apply) HSBCMalta HSBC_MT #OneStepCloser Best view ever This year, enjoy a new experience with our Personal Loans. *Terms and conditions apply. Offer valid until 28 February 2017. Approved and issued by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., 116, Archbishop Street, Valletta VLT1444 which is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. NOFEES * CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Sources said this could see the Broadcasting Authority (BA) and the Malta Communications Authority (MCA) merge to form one new regulatory body regulating both telecommunications and broadcasting, making the BA's move to Valletta short-sighted. The BA did not issue a call for tenders but issued a call for expressions of interest. In re- ply to MaltaToday's questions, the authority said "a proposal to move to new offices has been put forward for the Board's considera- tion" adding that a call for expressions of in- terest was issued "and a number of bids were received for the Authority's request to rent premises." A BA spokesperson said "the move to a more central location will enhance the standing of the Authority as well as contrib- uting to its efficient functioning." Sources said the authority's board and management were not involved in the deci- sion making process and the selection of the premises in Melita Street was taken by the authority's chairperson, Tanya Borg Cardo- na, without a clear evaluation and due dili- gence process. But the authority denied this, saying "the Board is still in the process of considering the details of the project and a final decision is yet to be taken." Sources said that the board – made up of four representatives picked by the two par- ties – and the management are being kept in the dark about the move and a number of people have been seen at the authority's office discussing the move, including Borg Cardona's former partner David Newman. It is unclear whether the move has been sanctioned by the ministry of finance and the justice ministry, which is responsible for the BA. The authority's offices in Hamrun will not remain vacant for long, with economy min- ister Chris Cardona expected to move in the opposite direction and rent the offices a few metres away from the Labour Party's head- quarters at the Mile End in Hamrun. The ministry is currently split in a number of offices in Valletta and Marsa and although doubts have been raised about whether the building is big enough for the ministry's em- ployees it is set to be housed under one roof in Hamrun. Not only will Cardona cut the commute to his party HQ office, but from his new office, which happens to be next door to PN deputy leader Mario de Marco's private residence, Cardona will have the opposition's Pieta HQ in sight. Former CEO retained as consultant Former BA CEO Pierre Cassar, who re- signed his post in 2016 to take up a post at the University of Malta, has been retained as a consultant, MaltaToday has learnt. MaltaToday understands that the former CEO is receiving more than €10,000 a year. A BA spokesperson said "Cassar was ap- pointed as a consultant to the Board because of his experience in the field. The decision was unanimously taken by the Board and is min- uted. His conditions and terms of service are capped by privacy and will not be divulged." Moreover, MaltaToday is informed that Cassar bought the BA vehicle which was at his disposal during his eight-year stay at the authority. Cassar bought the Chevrolet Cruz for a frac- tion of its market value but the authority re- fused to divulge this information. Since Borg Cardona took over as chairper- son in early 2016, the authority has acquired a new vehicle – a Toyota Avensis – but the chairperson makes use of her personal vehicle for official business despite having a Renault Megane and the new Toyota at her disposal. jbalzan@mediatoday.com.mt Former BA chief retains consultancy Tanya Borg Cardona Pierre Cassar