The appointment of rebuked judge Lino Farrugia Sacco to the post of chairman of the newly set up Lands Authority was made without consultation with the Opposition because “we were the ones elected to govern,” parliamentary secretary for lands Deborah Schembri said today.
Speaking at the announcement of the controversial appointment of a judge who twice faced an impeachment motion and got off the hook because he reached retirement age, Dr Schembri said that she understood the controversy of the appointment but the benefit will outweigh it. Two consecutive administrations had moved to impeach Dr Farrugia Sacco after the Commission for the Administration of Justice had found prima facie evidence of misbehaviour when he defied its calls to resign as president of the Malta Olympic Committee.
“He is the right man for the job,” she said, as are all other appointees, who she said were all experienced in the field. The appointments of the retired judge as well as CEO Carlo Mifsud, a former Labour Party candidate, were made personally by the Prime Minister.
The other members of the board of governors of the Lands Authority are Dr John Vassallo, who is Vice Chairperson, PL MP Clifton Grima, Joe Scalpello, Reuben Abela, Ivan Grixti, Odette Lewis, Maria Cardona and William Wait.
The Nationalist Party has refused to nominate its representative.Dr Schembri said she was perplexed and could not understand why the PN had thrown away the opportunity. “The main reason why we wanted an Opposition-appointed member is to increase transparency and accountability,” Dr Schembri said.
Dr Farrugia Sacco said he was proud of the trust placed in him by the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary. The judge, whose son David was a Labour Party candidate in the last election, said he did not take long to decide to accept the job, and he believes that the authority will do a good job. He promised he will be impartial.
He said the law regulating the authority had all the necessary checks and balances, and no single member of the board, or the minister for that matter, could take decisions on their own.
During question time, Dr Farrugia shook his head in disagreement as the issue of his impeachment motions was brought up. Dr Schembri defended the choice, insisting that Dr Farrugia Sacco has a lot of enthusiasm and initiative.
“I have full confidence in all members of the board, who are more than qualified for the posts they now hold,” the PS said. She said the retired judge was efficient and timely in his work and was very familiar with the subject. “I had to choose someone who is competent and knowledgeable in the subject. I am sure that he will do a very good job.”
Pressed on the impeachment issue, Dr Schembri said she was “not interested” in the past. “His qualities outweigh all that. He is the right person for the job,” she said, adding that the impeachment proceedings never actually started. “I do not make these choices on the basis of political affilitation.”
Dr Schembri confirmed that she had not consulted the Opposition on the top two jobs and insisted she did not have to. “I would do the same thing again because the Opposition does not have a mandate to govern, the PL does. Likewise, if the PN were in government I would not expect them to consult us.”
Replying to questions by this newspaper, Dr Schembri acknowledged that Dr Farrugia Sacco’s appointment was controversial. “I would have to be living on another planet to not realise that this can be controversial, but I have never shied away from controversy and I believe that the good that will come out of this authority far outweighs the controversy.”
Dr Schembri said the remuneration packages of the board members are still being finalized.
In the meantime the PS explained that the board will eventually replace the Commissioner for Lands. Until then the new members will familiarise themselves with the environment and the workers and start preparing for their eventual take-over. CEO Carlo Mifsud said the authority would move to revamp existing services, reduce bureaucracy, increase efficiency and accountability and start a file digitisation process. The authority will most probably also move out of the Auberge de Baviere and into a more adequate building.