A General Workers’ Union-owned property in Marsa was selected by Transport Malta for a five-year lease contract, despite the building failing to meet the conditions outlined in the original Request for Proposals (RFP). The property – for which the GWU will receive €500,000 annually in public money – is still in shell form.

The RFP specified that the building, to be used as offices by Transport Malta, was meant to be ready by last September. The deadline was a “minimum obligation” for those submitting their premises for the competition.

Last week, this newspaper visited the premises, which form part of the A3 tower in Marsa, only to find out they are not only not being used by Transport Malta as originally planned, but lie in an unfinished state. No workmen were seen on site.

The Sunday Times of Malta is also informed that the GWU’s offer was not the lowest of the six submissions to Transport Malta.

While the GWU asked for an annual lease of €524,000, three other bidders tabled a lower offer – the cheapest being from KA Holdings at €355,000.

When contacted, a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said the premises were chosen “after an evaluation exercise carried out by a committee appointed by Transport Malta”. The ministry added that the premises would be used by the land transport and road infrastructure directorates.

However, the ministry declined to name the members of the selection committee. When contacted by The Sunday Times of Malta, GWU general secretary Tony Zarb – who sits on the board of directors of Paola Estates Ltd, the GWU holding which leased the premises – denied that the building was supposed to be completed by September.

“It’s not true,” he said. “I thought you were going to ask me whether the UĦM [Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin] has any buildings being leased to the government.”

Mr Zarb said that the lease of the GWU’s building was a business transaction and he did not get into such issues.

Apart from Mr Zarb, the board of directors of Paola Estates Ltd also includes GWU president Victor Carachi.

Until last December, Robert Borg also served as director of Paola Estates Ltd.

He resigned following his appointment as board secretary of Transport Malta.

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