There is no doubt about it, the transformation of St George's Square in Valletta from a car park to a pedestrianised place befitting a historic site was long overdue. A good job has been done too but the fuss about it only shows that the country has not yet taken into its stride, as a matter of routine, the need for the continued improvement and maintenance of public places. To add insult to injury, some €170,000 were spent for its "grand opening", a farce that ought to put to shame whoever thought of the idea in the first place, irrespective of the fact that part of the expense was sponsored.
For, even though it is not a very big sum, it is an unnecessary expense, more so when, in times of financial restraint like the present, the government ought to be seen to be acting prudently at all times. It would be interesting though for the government to say who had, in fact, contributed towards the "grand opening". Ironically enough, this unnecessary expense coincides with the publication of the report by the Auditor General, which, as usual, brings to the fore a most disquieting degree of laissez-faire and unaccountability in the government service that can only be defined as scandalous.
Yet, rest assured that, as in past years, no feathers would be ruffled and that, even though the island is so tiny that the situation could easily be controlled, progress towards this end would be torturously slow. It is as if this careless attitude about public finance has become part of government culture. No government, Nationalist or Labour (for, make no mistake about it, much the same things happened in the time of the socialist and Labour governments), would ever admit to this but a glance at any report submitted to Parliament by the Auditor General in terms of article 108 (5) of the Constitution shows ample proof of what goes on.
The mind simply boggles at the string of complaints made by the Auditor General, some of which recur one year after another. Quite a number of departments and authorities falling under different ministries do not even bother to send their annual return of arrears on time. One circular says: "Since the collection of monies due to the government is a fundamental need for the execution of the government's fiscal programme, accounting officers will be held accountable for any shortfalls." And the general financial regulations lay down that all officers charged with the supervision of the collection of other money due to the government are required to submit an annual return of arrears of revenue.
No fewer than 21 entities failed to do so and these include the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, the Malta Communications Authority, Civil Aviation, the Judicial Courts and the Roads Directorate. And all this is just the tip of the iceberg as the Auditor highlights instances of procurement regulations not being followed, amounts charged by service providers not verifiable and failure to attach tax invoices or fiscal receipts to payment vouchers.
When it comes to local councils, the situation is totally unacceptable. Band clubs would probably put them to shame. Steps have now been taken to correct what seemed to be a runaway horse.
The Auditor's report, running into 218 pages, does not make for exhilarating bedtime reading but it should most definitely find its place on the desks of those charged with ensuring correctness in government finance and accountability.