The Malta Employers’ Association yesterday called for a public apology to be made to the director of the National Statistics Office, Dr Gordon Cordina, who resigned in a controversy that arose after the NSO revised the way it operates.

“The outcome of the analysis by Eurostat of the Maltese statistical data as submitted by the National Statistics Office leaves no doubt about the correctness of the methodology applied. The verification exercise completely exonerates Dr Gordon Cordina of any manipulation of the figures and it is expected that those who cast doubt on his professional integrity as one of the foremost economists in Malta should issue a public apology,” Joe Farrugia, director general of the Malta Employers’ Association, said.

He said the MEA was following developments on the matter with great concern, as the implications of the accusations were of a very serious nature. Mr Farrugia added that: “We cannot have a situation where we cannot trust the objectivity of data that is the basis of many business and policy decisions. In the unlikely outcome that Eurostat had confirmed the charges against the NSO, the MEA would have been the first to call for the resignation of Gordon Cordina.”

The issue should send a clear message that economics and propaganda do not mix. Political activists were too eager to jump the gun and sow seeds of doubt on the NSO. In this instance, the smear campaign has completely backfired, MEA said. Eurostat officials took account of the objections that were raised against the revisions and the conclusion fully backed the methodology that was used by the NSO, Mr Farrugia said. This was no surprise, as the NSO has for years provided a sterling service and the general perception has always been that it was detached from any sort of partisan manipulation. This was a pointless controversy that has led to the unfortunate resignation of Dr Cordina from the NSO.

It is a known fact that economists of his calibre and integrity are few and far between.

It is therefore expected that the individuals who levelled the accusations against Dr Cordina should own up to their blunder and make a public apology to regain their credibility.