Investments Minister Austin Gatt has written to the chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, Notary Charles Mangion, calling on him to start procedures for the committee to investigate allegations made by the Opposition Leader in connection with the Water Services Corporation.

Dr Gatt referred Dr Mangion to a statement issued by the Labour Party on 26 August in which Dr Sant challenged Dr Gatt and the corporation chairman to carry out a public enquiry on what was happening at the corporation because according to Dr Sant, “things there smelled”.

Dr Gatt told Dr Mangion that according to the MLP statement, there were some financial irregularities in the award of a tender to a Gozitan contractor for work on the drainage treatment plant in Gozo. Dr Gatt said the committee should investigate if the contract award violated financial regulations.

The MLP statement also alleged that the chairman of the corporation was concealing work that was allegedly done incorrectly by this contractor on the plant; and that he, Dr Gatt, knew of the poor work and wanted the chairman to take action about it.

Dr Gatt expressed confidence in Dr Mangion as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, and in the Auditor General, and expressed certainty that the inquiry would be exhaustive.

In his letter, Dr Gatt also expressed hope that Dr Sant would “honour” the committee with his presence, either as a member of the opposition, or as a witness, so that they would be able to see the substance of the proof he would be able to bring.