Opposition leader Simon Busuttil today hit out at what he termed a “corrupt” government, saying it made developer Marco Gaffarena a millionaire overnight using taxpayer’s money thanks to a shady expropriation deal.

Mr Gaffarena made a killing when the government purchased a quarter of a Valletta property off him in January, and another quarter in April with a total compensation package worth €1.65 million.

Speaking during a radio interview, Dr Busuttil questioned why the government decided to purchase a quarter of a house, instead of expropriation the whole property.

The person who sold the property had no idea it would be worth millions, in what is an “obscene and clear case of corruption,” Dr Busuttil said.

He said this case almost belittles the Cafe Premier scandal, and the government seems to constantly surpass itself by plunging to new lows, in what he called “a race to the bottom.”

Code of ethics

The Opposition leader expressed his bewilderment at the new ‘watered down’ code of ethics for ministers that the government had been hiding since last August.

He said that 20 years on from when the original code of ethics was published, one would have expected standards to have been raised, yet instead the government has done the opposite.

A minister must choose whether to pursue a ministerial career or keep his private profession Dr Busuttil said, yet the new code of ethics allows for both.

The fact that ministers no longer need to declare their spouses’ assets open the door for abuse and corruption, Dr Busuttil said.

Weak concrete

Dr Busuttil hit out at the “independent” inquiry commissioned by the government into the weak concrete scandal at Mater Dei.

He said the inquiry was led by a former Labour MP, Judge Emeritus Philip Sciberras, who was place on “every public board in existence,” and even involved his son, who is a Labour deputy mayor, in the inquiry.

Dr Busuttil said that someone who is really independent and not someone who merely reached the conclusion wanted by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat should have led the inquiry.

Acknowledging that political responsibility should be borne for the scandal, Dr Busuttil said the government is dragging its feet and has not taken action against the companies that supplied the weak concrete. 

Instead, the government is turning the matter into a political game, he said.

American University of Malta

The Opposition leader has strong words for the government on the proposed University development at Zonqor Point.

Dr Busuttil said the government is going to face stiff resistance from the PN on the matter, saying that if will have to get through the opposition if it wants to “ruin” Zonqor Point.

Acknowledging that PN’s own track record on environmental matters is not perfect, he said the party has learnt from its mistakes and recognises it could have done better.

He also questioned why the government is so keen on the development happening at Zonqor Point, asking who owns the surrounding land and who the person or persons the government is trying to please are.

He also asked why the contract signed with the Jordanian investor has not been published.