The CEO of Project Green Joseph Cuschieri has dismissed calls for his resignation over past controversies related to his previous role as CEO of the Malta Financial Services Authority, saying that such criticism is part of being in the public service.
Cuschieri had resigned from the MFSA in 2020 after it had been revealed that he had travelled to Las Vegas with casino owner Yorgen Fenech in 2018, with Fenech footing the bill. Fenech was later charged with being a mastermind in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
But a more recent polemic, also related to his time at MFSA, has led to calls for his resignation or removal from Project Green. Last September, an Industrial Tribunal decision saw the MFSA being ordered to pay almost €414,000 in damages to a former top official who was unjustly fired by Cuschieri, who was then CEO.
The Nationalist Party had called for Cuschieri's removal from Project Green following the incident.
Having been in a public position since 2013, Cuschieri said one is often criticised for decisions they have made, or ones which they did not make.
He said he understood such criticism. "Firstly, I have never kicked out anyone immediately. Those who work with me know that I actually reward hard work, and the team. I have always been like that, I am still like that, and I will continue to be like that," Cuschieri said.
"In fact, I rarely reply to such calls (for resignation). I will continue working in my role," Cuschieri said, adding that one must now wait for the Appeals decision on this particular case.
Cuschieri, whose background is in finance, accountancy and management, defended his role as Project Green CEO despite criticism over his lack of environmental credentials.
He argued that effective leadership relies on building a strategy, assembling a competent team, and ensuring good governance.
Cuschieri said he was a firm believer that "to run an agency, one does not have to necessarily be knowledgeable in the area that agency is responsible for."
Cuschieri said that he relies on the technical advice of the experts in the field.
"I do not have to be an architect or an environmentalist for me to be here," Cuschieri said, adding that he as an individual, is very much pro-environment.
He continued that his experience in leadership and management, as well as the support he provides for his team, helps the agency reach its objectives.
Last month, ADPD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo asked the Auditor General to investigate an "abusive direct order" and employment practices by Project Green, and also made claims of nepotism, saying that that Cuschieri had hired 19 managers who are mostly his friends or acquaintances.
Asked about this, Cuschieri said that when he became CEO of the agency, he did not know anybody.
He reiterated that when he was appointed he took stock of the situation, which resulted in the need for more resources and capacity building for the 120 projects the agency is responsible for.
"One has to keep in mind that Project Green is a seven-year project, but it will continue beyond that. We needed to see that there is the necessary capacity," Cuschieri said.
Cuschieri said that the agency prepared a two-year HR plan which was presented to the Ministry, with all detailed roles listed, and was very active in recruitment in 2024. 2025 will be more focused on the delivery of projects, he added.
He continued that the agency works in a transparent manner, and the entity recently underwent an audit by the National Audit Office (NAO) which he welcomed.
"Audits help entities in good governance practices. The recommendations are then always implemented," Cuschieri added.
He said that recently, the agency also underwent an audit by the People and Standards Division on recruitment, and it had a compliance record of 98%.
"I have no problems with another audit," Cuschieri said.
The direct order mentioned by Cacopardo was related to a project in Bormla, which Cuschieri said was perfectly justified and approved.
He said that the direct order is part of the public procurement regulations, which entails a process which needs to be followed.