The PN on Tuesday said that it cannot understand why Prime Minister Robert Abela will not appoint a public inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia, despite so many organisations, groups, and individuals calling for it.
PN MPs Jerome Caruana Cilia and Stanley Zammit spoke at a press conference where they said that there are a number of questions being raised by the public, as to why the Prime Minister does not want to appoint a public inquiry into Sofia’s death.
Sofia was killed last December in a construction collapse last December. No one has been arrested in connection to the incident, and a magisterial inquiry is still ongoing.
“From the day of the incident, the family of Sofia were given no details. Yesterday marked seven months since his death, and we have yet to hear of anything from any authority. The case has been kept in absolute secrecy, and no one, not even his relatives, knows anything,” Caruana Cilia said.
He questioned whether the people involved in the incident are close to the Labour party, and therefore are being protected if they broke any policies and regulations.
Addressing Abela, Caruana Cilia asked, “why are you scared? Who are you defending? What are you scared of?”
Caruana Cilia said that everyone wants a public inquiry to be appointed, except for the Prime Minister.
He said that youths, and NGOs Zghazagh Haddiema Insara, Moviment Graffitti, Repubblika, several news editorials, President for the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, ex ministers, councillors as well as President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca have all called in favour for a public inquiry.
“The Prime Minister has a chance to show how ready he is to work in favour of the common good,” Caruana Cilia said, calling for all MPs to vote in favour of the PN motion which will discuss a public inquiry into Jean Paul Sofia’s death on 6 July.
He appealed for the Prime Minister to not ignore the request made by Sofia’s parents, saying that his mother Isabelle Bonnici should be admired, as despite all the obstacles, hurt and perpetual sorrow she is suffering from, each day she works in favour of justice, truth and transparency.
Caruana Cilia said that Bonnici will not be left alone.
Zammit continued that the PM and government are refraining from taking the necessary measures so that incidents like Sofia’s are not repeated, but also avoided.
“Abela is obligated to see that risks on construction sites or at the workplace are reduced. It is important that serious exercises are done, with analysis and transparency,” Zammit said.