The closure of infringement proceedings by the European Commission against Malta over the controversial extension of the Delimara power station “doesn’t change anything”, according to Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat.
Speaking at a party event in Żurrieq, Dr Muscat said “absolutely nothing has changed” and this “remains the most corrupt contract in this government’s history”.
“The Commission was only investigating whether any EU procedures had been breached in the award of the contract.
“But the fact remains that every time Joseph Mizzi was called in before the Auditor General he forgot certain details,” Dr Muscat said, adding that Mr Mizzi was still the local representative of Lehmayer International, the company which consulted Enemalta on the award of the contract to BWSC for whom Mr Mizzi also worked.
Dr Muscat demanded to know whether the government would be fining BWSC a sum equivalent to 10 per cent of the contract for not mentioning in its submission that some of its sub-contractors were involved in corruption cases – as it was obliged to do under Maltese law.
“I was worried last night. Not about what the EU has said but about why we’re fighting this fight,” he said. “It’s not just about Joseph Muscat winning against Gonzi, that’s not the real reason. The real reason is that by the time the next election comes... a decision which I won’t know how to explain to my children will already have been taken,” Dr Muscat reflected.
“When your children grow up they’ll ask ‘Daddy, when 20 years ago you had the chance to invest in cleaner, healthier technology, why didn’t you choose it? Why did you choose dirty technology and the dirtiest fuel in the world?’ And at least, I can tell them that I fought this choice – but this Prime Minister cannot tell them this,” Dr Muscat said. He went on to promise that once in power, his party would immediately start the process to get rid of heavy fuel oil from the new power station and use cleaner fuel.
“And then we leave space for a strategy to have a gas power station which doesn’t pollute, and I’ll be able look into the eyes of my children and tell them that we’re doing this because your health comes first and foremost for us.”
Another speaker was from tourism minister and MP Karmenu Vella, who said the government was not keeping its promise to Air Malta employees. He produced a letter in which, he said, Dr Gonzi promised employees that not one job would be lost.
Mr Vella also referred to the law graduates who carried the Prime Minister on their shoulders during their graduation revelries in Valletta on Wednesday.
“I’m sure we can assemble half a dozen people to carry Dr Gonzi – I’m sure there are people who would like to ‘lift’ him – Air Malta employees, those who have problems with ARMS, sick people,” Mr Vella said.
“And to those students I say: today you carried him, tomorrow you’ll have to carry the weight and debt he left you with.”
Labour MP Marlene Pullicino said the PN was intent on bringing in money to finance the next electoral campaign and retain power. “Do we know what percentages from the commissions on the BWSC contract went into the PN’s pockets? Do you know this?” Dr Pullicino said.
Also speaking at the meeting was MP Joseph Sammut, who asked why the government had called in local tuna fishermen to stop fishing even though there were still 20 tons left to be caught according to the country’s quota.