Updated with MCAST reaction
The government is looking into a €50,000 tender awarded to Keith Schembri’s paper company, Kasco Limited, just days before the former chief of staff was taken in for questioning by the police over the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder.
Education Minister Owen Bonnici said he had asked for an explanation on the matter after being alerted to the issue by Times of Malta the previous day.
The tender in question was for the “supply and delivery of environmentally friendly xerographic paper for Mcast”, which now falls under Dr Bonnici’s remit.
Information published in The Malta Government Gazette confirmed that a contract worth €50,385 was awarded to Kasco Limited on November 22, 2019.
Four days later, on November 26, Mr Schembri resigned as former prime minister Joseph Muscat’s top aide.
Naturally, there are legal aspects
“Naturally, there are legal aspects and one has to see whether there is the legal basis to withdraw a tender of a commercial entity.
“However, I am not going to hide behind legalisms and I will, therefore, be looking into this to evaluate things,” Dr Bonnici said.
The minister was also quick to point out the tender was not awarded under his watch.
Dr Bonnici was handed the education portfolio last week when Prime Minister Robert Abela unveiled his new Cabinet after taking over from Dr Muscat on January 13.
During his time in Castille, Mr Schembri’s company continued to win contracts to supply government entities with paper.
The former chief of staff at the Office of the Prime Minister would always insist he saw no problem with his company winning the contracts, saying his duties as the prime minister’s top aide had nothing to do with government procurement decisions.
Kasco was the only bidder - MCAST
In a reply, Philip Vella, Deputy Principal and Prof James Calleja, Principal and CEO, said the college follows all government procedures as outlined by the public procurement regulations and directions issued by the Department of Contracts in the award of all its tenders, including this one.
All MCAST tenders are processed through the respective government entities as required by the established procedures.
"Kasco Limited was awarded the tender in question as it was the only bidder, and most importantly, complying with all financial and technical requirements, and hence approved by the competent authorities and an MCAST technical evaluation team.
"It would not have been the correct practice if MCAST were to stop the adjudication at the time (on November 22). It would also have been incorrect if MCAST had to, during the adjudication process, look beyond the company and into its shareholding. It is the directors of the company who have the duty to manage a company’s business and affairs and not the shareholders, where such company has a separate and distinct juridical personality than those of its shareholders and directors."
PN's reaction
In a statement, the Nationalist Party said the investigation was “too little, too late”.
Education Minister Owen Bonnici should have seen that action was taken in relation to Mr Schembri when he was Justice Minister.
Dr Bonnici lost his credentials to speak about corruption because when he was round the decision table with Dr Muscat and Prime Minister Robert Abela, he did not speak up but wanted information to remain hidden from the people.