The Broadcasting Authority (BA) will spend €105,000 on furniture and IT infrastructure at rented premises in Valletta to accommodate its particular operational requirements.

This was confirmed by BA Chief Executive Officer Dr Joanna Spiteri, when contacted by this newsroom.

News that the BA will be moving into a new premise in Melita Street, Valletta, was announced last January however BA staff told this newsroom that they were informed by management to start packing up as they were going to a new premises last June.

The property in Hamrun which is owned by the authority, will instead be taken up by Chris Cardona's Economy Ministry. The move has been described as convenient for Dr Cardona, who is a PL Deputy Leader, for it will move his workplace next door to his party's headquarters.

Asked how much the authority will have to pay for their new offices, Dr Spiteri said "the authority will pay an annual fee of €70,000, which fee will be fully recovered through the lease of its current premises in Hamrun."

With regard to the renovation and installation of furniture and IT system, Dr Spiteri told this paper that "since the authority will be leasing out the premises, it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the premises conform and satisfy all the legal standards and permits which make it adequate to be leased out as office premises." She added that the authority will only bear the cost of the IT infrastructure and furniture to accommodate its particular operational requirements.

Dr Spiteri said that the authority felt the need to move to a more central location which will enhance its standing as well as contributing to its efficient functioning.  

Asked why no risk assessment has been conducted, the CEO said that the authority will ensure the best interests of its employees and in so doing will address any possible risks. She added that in relation to accessibility, the authority will comply with the necessary laws.

Last Friday the UHM Voice of the Workers, who a week ago instructed BA employees to go on industrial action after alleged "bullying" tactics employed by BA Chairperson Tanya Borg Cardona, alleged that most of the top floor will be taken by the chairperson. Asked whether this was true, Dr Spiteri said that the floor occupied by the chairperson will also include the boardroom, the CEO's office and a secretarial pool.

Last week BA employees told The Malta Independent that the Valletta premises are "too small and too dark" for their needs. They said that the idea behind the move was coming from Mrs Borg Cardona, who last June, in a meeting told them that we should move from this "ugly and old place." They said that "her main reason for the move is purely for aesthetic purposes."

In replies sent to this newsroom, the chairperson said that the decision to move to Valletta was taken and approved by the entire board.