The Nationalist Party today accused Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of preaching good governance but failing to live up to his words, with the government being embroiled in scandals and abuse of power.

In a press conference, Shadow Minister for Justice Jason Azzopardi said that at the opening of the CHOGM, PM Muscat had mentioned good governance as a second pillar on which to manage a country.

But this is all bluff, Dr Azzopardi said, as the government has failed to publish contracts and deal with scandals that have ripped it apart.

“We will hold Muscat true to his words,” Dr Azzopardi said, and insist that the contracts with Henley & Partners on the passport scheme, Sadeen on the Marsascala University and Shanghai Electric on the sale of the BWSC be published.

The PN will also demand that the power purchase agreement with Electrogas, the land transfer for the new power station to be built and the power purchase agreement with ENEL for the interconnector are also made public.

Apart from this, the PN will insist that the government publishes all hedging agreements, including that with SOCAR which cost the country €14 million; the contract giving the Marsa power station to Enemalta for 99 years; the lease agreement reached between Transport Malta and the GWU; the agreement between the GWU and ARMS on property in Valletta; the contract with Autobuses de Lyon and the agreement with Vitalis for the privatisation of Karin Grech, St Lukes and Gozo hospitals.

Spokesman Censu Galea went on to give a list of decisions that do not reflect the government’s good governance.

These include the loss of funds on the Coast Road project because of shortcomings in the tendering process; the scandalous appointment of Sai Mizzi as ambassador and that of Toni Abela s consultant on poverty, oil and traffic; and the decision taken on the Marsascala university that was taken in a minute.

Mr Galea also mentioned Muscat’s visit to Azerbaijan without taking the media with him, the Siggiewi civic centre that remained in the hands of the Labour Party, the appointments given to government backbenchers and the weakening of the code of ethics.

 

The list included the cover-up of the shooting incident involving former Minister Manuel Mallia, the business interests Minister Chris Cardona has with his chief of staff, the alleged abuse committed by parliamentary secretary Ian Borg in the purchase of property, the Cafe Premier scandal, the Gaffarena scandal, the 14,000 residency permits given to foreigners and the 7,000 visas given to Algerians in 18 months.