I refer to Noel Grima’s article entitled “My Valentine’s lunch with Franco Debono” (TMIS, 19 February). I refer in particular to the words “… it then turned out that this same MP (Charles Buhagiar) had a lucrative consultancy job himself” (on the Mosta local council).

Please note that there is absolutely no comparison between the consultancy job given through a direct order by Minister George Pullicino to Perit Arthur Apap, and the consultancy services provided by Med Design Associates (not Charles Buhagiar) to the Mosta local council.

The consultancy services Med Design provides to the Mosta local council are based on two separate contracts (services of contracts manager for roads and services of an architect), which were awarded after the issue of a public call for tenders in the Government Gazette. The adjudication committee of the Mosta local council recommended that these two (separate) contracts be awarded to Med Design which recommendations were approved during a plenary meeting of the Mosta local council. All fees paid to Med Design are based on these contracts and are approved at the meetings of the Mosta local council.

Hence, contrary to the impression falsely given by your good selves, the contracts to Med Design were awarded by means of a public call for tender and not by direct order.

Charles Buhagiar A&CE, MP

Mr Buhagiar is Labour’s main spokesperson on infrastructure, public works, capital projects, and Sustainable Development of Central Malta