Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/922844
maltatoday SUNDAY 7 JANUARY 2018 News 7 Funding Opportunities European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 The Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme for Malta (2014 – 2020) provides funding opportunities to the fishing industry and related coastal communities to help them adapt to ever-changing sectoral conditions whilst fostering their economical resilience and ecological sustainability. The Fund will be of assistance in reaching the objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and support the implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy, as delineated in Regulation (EU) № 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The Funds and Programmes Division is hereby informing the general public that the second call for proposals has been launched on the 4 th January 2018. Article 30 – Measure I.6 Diversification and new forms of income Article 41(1) – Measure I.20 Energy efficiency and mitigation of climate change On board investments, energy efficiency and audit schemes, studies Deadline for submission of Application Forms: 28 th February 2018 The call for the above-mentioned Measures has a total allocation of €1 million in public eligible funds (European Union and Malta shares). The Managing Authority reserves the right to decrease or increase the said allocation. Application Forms can be downloaded from the following web link: http://eufunds.gov.mt/en/EU%20Funds%20Programmes/Agricultural%20Fisheries%20Fund/ Pages/News-and-Events.aspx An Information session will be held on the 25 th January 2018 for registered prospective applicants. Participants are to register their intent to participate in the information session by not later than 15 th January 2018 (noon). More information and a copy of the registration form can be requested via telephone on 22001108 or via e-mail to fpd.meae@gov.mt. Maritime and Fisheries Operational Programme 2014-2020 Part-financed by the European Union European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture PN blames police scandals on poor leadership PAUL COCKS NEWS of three scandals affecting the po- lice within one week were a reflection of bad leadership within the Police Corps, the Na- tionalist Party has claimed. Following reports yesterday that three po- lice officers had been found to be in posses- sion of cocaine during a raid in a Paceville nightclub, the PN said that the incident fur- ther confirmed what a bad state the corps was in and the bad leadership it currently enjoyed. The party said this was the third scandal to hit the corps in only one week, follow- ing the resignation of Assistant Commis- sioner Mario Tonna – whose partner ac- cused him of domestic violence – and af- ter minister Farrugia had tried to justify Tonna's behaviour, blaming it on the long working hours. "The Nationalist Party feels this disastrous state the Corps finds itself in is a reflection of its leadership in the figure of Police Com- missioner Lawrence Cutajar, as well as the minister and Prime Minister who continue to defend him," the party said. The three officers – two members of the force's Rapid Intervention Unit and a con- stable fresh out of the academy - have been suspended and are to be arraigned in court. The two RIU officers have been in the force for two and one years respectively while the third suspended officer had only been a po- liceman for one week before the raid, having just taken his oath of allegiance during the passing out parade at the Police Academy on 16 December. Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia has confirmed the report. In a statement, the Home Affairs Ministry said that three officers' case had been re- ferred to the Public Service Commission and that criminal proceedings would follow. With regards to Tonna's case, the ministry said investigations were underway to deter- mine any criminal responsibility. "Domestic violence is unacceptable under any scenario and all such reports are taken very seriously by the Police Corps and the Ministry," the statement read. The Times quoted sources saying that in- ternal controls within the force were "quite lax" with little screening for drug abuse tak- ing place. Farrugia told the newspaper that urine tests were carried out regularly but sources in- sisted they had never been asked for a urine sample as long as they had served. The PN said that the latest incident was a result of the government's partisan decision to do away with the need for persons apply- ing to join the Police Force to be in posses- sion of a clean police conduct. "Under this administration, 47 persons with a criminal record have joined the force." It also asked why news of the drug find and imminent arraignment of the three police of- ficers had been kept under wraps until it was revealed by the media. PAUL COCK MEMBERS of the new Nation- alist Party administration team are settling into their new roles as management staff loyal to former leader Simon Busuttil are shunned and replaced. The culling exercise is being led by Pierre Portelli, the new executive chairman of Media. link – the PN's media arm – and Clyde Puli, newly elected secretary general. Sources said the two were intent on see- ing in the new year with a new team in place, loyal to the new leader Adrian Delia. Media.link CEO Brian St John was notified by Portelli through email in the week before Christmas that, as per the ar- rangement Delia's team made with the previous administra- tion, his contract – like that of all other management staff un- der contract – would not be re- newed at the end of December. When contacted, St John said he did not wish to discuss his relationship with the party, but sources said that St John, who in fact did not have a contract but was on indefinite employ- ment, had earlier expressed his desire to leave the party, once Delia was appointed leader. The sources attributed this behaviour to St John's alle- giance to Busuttil, who ap- pointed him CEO in October 2014 and placed him in charge of planning and strategy in 2016. MaltaToday understands that St John asked to be allowed to stay on till mid-February but was told that would not be possible. Sources have since confirmed that St John – and others like him – were not even given a termination form and nor were they afforded any no- tice period. They also said that it is Por- telli and Puli who are leading the staffing exercise and that Delia was not involving himself directly in all employment or termination decisions. One former Media.link em- ployee told MaltaToday that not all the positions being made vacant were to be filled and added he suspected this was the case so that the new admin- istration would have a larger salary pool to distribute among fewer top executives. PN terminates media CEO's contract Brian St John