Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/791658
4 TIM DIACONO HOME affairs minister Carmelo Abela's attempt to downplay the alleged mistreat- ment of a Malian migrant has been directly challenged by an activist who worked close- ly with the migrant in question. Abela on Friday denied reports that one of the nine migrants, Diara Diambourou, had been denied the daily pills for his hives while locked up at the Safi detention centre. Diara's condition degenerated and rashes broke out over his skin, and he was even- tually carted off to Mount Carmel Hospital after showing suicidal tendencies. However, Abela and detention services head Mario Schembri insisted that a doctor had visited Diara and given him medication, but that Diara had repeatedly refused them maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2017 News Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Advert part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Co-financing rate: Public Eligible (80% European Union; 20% National Funds ) ANNOUNCEMENT – 24 th February 2017 Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges Further to the launch of Call 1 under the SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme and the e-Commerce Grant Scheme dated 10 th November 2016, with the first cut-off date for submission of applications set for Tuesday, 28 th February 2017, the Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the 2014 – 2020 programming period, would like to announce the next cut-off dates for submission of applications under the two specified grant schemes as follows: Call 1 – SME Consultancy Services Grant Scheme Priority Axis 3 – 'Enhancing Malta's competitiveness through investment in SMEs' Next cut-off dates: Thursday, 30th March 2017 at noon; Friday, 28th April 2017 at noon; Wednesday, 31st May 2017 at noon; Friday, 30th June 2017 at noon. Call 1 – e-Commerce Grant Scheme Priority Axis 2 – 'Consolidating investment within the ICT Sector' Next cut-off dates: Thursday, 30th March 2017 at noon; Friday, 28th April 2017 at noon; Friday, 30th June 2017 at noon. Information sessions will be organised for prospective applicants from time to time. Dates and venues will be notified accordingly. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation, as well as on the information sessions may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. Minister challenged over denial that Malian was refused medication Slope stability impacted by Barts' Gozo med school Underlying blue clay renders site prone to slope instability and excessive subsidence JAMES DEBONO ENVIRONMENTAL consultants have warned that the area ear- marked for the construction of the new medical school in Gozo, could be unsafe. Experts expressed concern about the possible geological impact of the construction of the new medi- cal school, on the grounds of the existing Gozo hospital in Victoria, warning that building at the edge of the plateau where the development is being proposed may undermine the stability of the slope on which the building will be constructed. The delay in the building of the medical school, run by Barts and the London School of Medicine and Surgery, means that students are using a temporary premises at the Sixth Form college in Victoria. Barts had planned to start offer- ing courses to international stu- dents in September 2016 but this was postponed by a year due to the lack of premises. However, given that Vitals Healthcare – the company which partly owns the Gozo hospital – has yet to start constructing the new campus, the medical school relocated to the refurbished second floor of the Gozo sixth form until the new campus is completed. Studies have shown that the site earmarked for the campus is prone to slope instability, especially in the event of an earthquake. This is because the development will involve excavation of a rela- tively substantial amount of Upper Coralline Limestone and blue clay. The excavation of blue clay is gen- erally discouraged in all building projects due to the possible impact on geology and water catchment. MaltaToday is informed that studies are currently underway with the aim of establishing a safe distance between the plateau's edge and the new building, and that the possibility of using piles to act as a foundation for the new structure is being considered. According to a report prepared by IAS consultants, the underlying blue clay renders the area prone to "lateral movements and subsid- ence" and the investigations car- ried out "have established that the An activist has denied Carmelo Abela's (pictured, page 5) claims that medicine was refused: "The migrant's allergy only improved after I personally delivered his medication to him" SEE INTERVIEW • PAGES 14-15