Experts warned the government a planned CHOGM gala dinner under a marquee at Ħagar Qim was “very risky” in November, the Times of Malta has learnt.
Despite the warnings, the CHOGM task force within the Office of the Prime Minister went ahead with the plan, but the venue had to be changed because of bad weather. The tent cost an estimated €100,000, according to industry sources.
This newspaper is informed that the warning by experts and event organisers was made in the summer, when the tent tender was being discussed.
“For those who have an idea of the area and of these types of events, the risks were so obvious that various prospective bidders even asked officials from the Office of the Prime Minister for a five-year weather record of the place,” an event organiser told the Times of Malta
The officials did not have the data requested and the bidders were told to try and obtain it themselves, he added.
Despite warnings, the CHOGM task force went ahead
“I am sorry to say that we told them so,” an entrepeneur involved in lighting structures for outdoor activities said.
“It seems that the Office of the Prime Minister was not interested in our advice and went ahead with these plans that were so obviously doomed to fail. The result is a complete waste of public funds,” he added.
The tender for the setting up of the tent to host a gala dinner hosted by the Prime Minister for 220 dignitaries was awarded to the cheapest offer, which was submitted by TEC Ltd for €57,000.
The company provided the tents during Labour Party political activities in the run-up to the last general election.
TEC Ltd also provided tent structures for both the Valletta Migration Summit and CHOGM last month, including to house the temporary press centres for both events.
Apart from the payment to the Ħaġar Qim tent provider, the government spent thousands of euros on ancillary jobs, such as raised flooring, air conditioning systems, interior and exterior lighting, inside draping as well as tables and chairs. Experts estimated the bill would easily surpass the €100,000 mark.
I am sorry to say that we told them so
On Saturday morning, the day of the gala dinner, the government announced that the event was cancelled and that the venue changed to Xara Lodge, at the limits of Rabat.
Questions sent to the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday asking for a breakdown of the expenses related to the cancelled Ħaġar Qim dinner and whether officials were warned beforehand about the high risks associated with hosting such an event remained unanswered at the time of writing.
ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com