Watch: Abela's first comments on Galdes controversies

Robert Abela has dismissed claims that Housing Minister Roderick Galdes was meddling in Malita Investments and "hobnobbing" with contractors engaged by the company. 

The minister's focus, the prime minister said, was on ensuring the company addressed its financial situation and, most importantly, completed its social housing projects. 

Malita Investments acquires, develops and manages properties on behalf of the government. 

Last month, Times of Malta reported that the company owes a contractor involved in the government's flagship social housing project in Ħal Farruġ nearly €1.5 million.

Marlene Mizzi, a former Labour MEP who until last year served as Malita chair, said Galdes had tried to meddle in the running of Malita and was regularly "hobnobbing" with contractors engaged by the company. 

When asked if Galdes still enjoyed his confidence as housing minister, Abela said it was important not to take what Mizzi said as "the gospel".

"The National Audit Office will now carry out an investigation," he said. 

"The most important thing is that the financial situation of Malita is addressed seriously, and most importantly, the social housing projects are completed. 

"Providing people in need of social housing with decent accommodation has always been one of my goals, and I expect Malita to focus on, and finish these projects."

Gozo property purchase; Compare prices with 2021

Abela was also asked about Galdes' €140,000 purchase of a duplex penthouse in Gozo's capital, including a garage, airspace and rooftop jacuzzi from Joseph Portelli's Excel Investments. 

Abela said that while others speculated on the price, the best way forward was to evaluate the prices of similar properties at the time (in 2021).

The minister signed a promise of sale agreement for the property - in shell form -  in 2024 and the final deed earlier this year. He says he paid a €5,000 "reservation fee" to Portelli in 2021 to lock in the penthouse price. 

In the same year that Galdes signed the promise of sale for the penthouse, the Housing Authority, which falls under Galdes, granted a multi-million euro housing contract to Portelli.

Abela said companies interested in housing projects went through a procurement process. He was not aware of any public procurements that did not respect the regulations.

When asked whether ministerial asset declarations should be made public, Abela said cabinet assets were all available. Parliamentary asset declaration regulations made it clear that MPs were obliged to declare their property assets, he added.

Ministers and parliamentary secretaries must also file a separate, more detailed asset declaration. The latter have not been made public since 2023.