ADPD-The Green Party Chairperson Sandra Gauci on Saturday called for an investigation into the current operations of Malita plc, as to how the company 80% owned by the government has, over the space of a few months, gone downhill seriously risking leaving creditors in the lurch.  Somebody must bear responsibility for this, and an explanation must be provided soon, she said.

After the resignation of the Executive Chairman of Malita plc, Johann Farrugia, earlier this week, the need to investigate these serious allegations regarding the management of Malita plc is pressing more than ever.  The credibility of Minister Roderick Galdes has been completely lost and there is the need for him to resign to minimise the damage that has been incurred.  What former Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi has stated about the minister's interference in the company's operations is definitely more credible than any denial made to the contrary, she said There are very serious doubts about this, in particular allegations of interference regarding the management of the company as well as other irregularities. 

We should remember that Marlene Mizzi stated that she had been dismissed as Chairperson of Malita plc after pointing out that Minister Roderick Galdes should not interfere in the running of the company, Gauci said.  She has also emphasised that the Minister was overly friendly with the contractors providing goods and services, and such excessive familiarity was not healthy. 

So once again we have a situation in which nobody is ready to be accountable. The messy situation  in an area linked to social accommodation is of benefit to no one, especially for those who find it difficult to have a roof over their heads, Gauci said.

ADPD-The Green Party Deputy Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo added that:"It is important to keep in mind the recent KPMG conference on the property market, in which it was confirmed that property prices have increased significantly over the years.  The rate of increase in the price of property  is much higher than that of wages and salaries." 

The economic model that this government has adopted depends on a large influx of foreign workers, which in turn is creating a high demand for residential property. This has led to the increase in demand for rental property, which in turn has increased prices across the board. When short-lets are taken into consideration, the problem is even more acute.   

If the short-let sector is regulated, as many local councils are insisting, the market may change somewhat to lessen the pressure on residential areas such as Swieqi and St Paul's Bay. These towns are quickly becoming tourist towns. The transformation of our localities is a negative step and is causing many problems for both the infrastructure of the localities concerned as well as for the efficiency of the services provided by the local councillors, who do their best with the greatest dedication, Cacopardo said.