Rural Affairs and Environment Minister George Pullicino has appointed Louis Cilia as chairman of the ORNIS Committee after the resignation of Dr Tonio Azzopardi.

The Department of Information said that Dr Azzopardi had resigned for personal reasons and confirmed his decision after he was requested to reconsider by Mr Pullicino.

Mr Cilia has a long career in the public service, having occupied, among other positions, the post of permanent secretary in the ministries

of the interior, transport

and communications, and competitiveness and communications.

He was also director general in the Interior Ministry and was an acing director of the Corradino Correctional Facility.