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A ‘permsec’s’ war with the ‘parlsecs’

Mr Edward Gauci Borda, a Permanent Secretary with the Ministry of Agriculture, last week accused Parliamentary Secretaries, George Pullicino and George Hyzler of trying to forget the ‘shady’ past, at the Aquaculture centre for reasons known to them alone.

The incident is unique and bizarre, since rarely does one hear of a permanent secretary openly ‘accusing’ senior government politicians.

When MaltaToday contacted Mr.George Pullicino, a Parliamentary Secretary and member of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for his comments, with regard to the allegations made by Mr Edward Gauci Borda, he reiterated that he had nothing to add to what he had said already.

Attempts to get a comment from Dr George Hyzler proved futile.
Mr Borda’s allegations were vehemently denied by Pullicino and Hyzler, who later raised a breach of privilege complaint against Mr Gauci Borda and another one against L-Orizzont newspaper, contesting an article which reported Mr Gauci Borda’s letter. The article, described as misreported and a sample of political opportunism was entitled:

"Zewg segretarji Parlamentari akkuzati bi hmieg".

The text of the article was described by Dr Hyzler and Mr Pullicino as not being coherent with the title given to it.

In answer to the allegations, they answered that their actions, if anything, prove that they sought to make matters more transparent and that this can also be seen through the PAC, which is presided over by Mr Leo Brincat, a member of the Opposition.

In February of this year, the PAC asked the Auditor General to conduct a report, regarding the operation of the Aquaculture Centre and was also to include a scientific and technical audit. The latter, for some unknown reason, did not appear in the terms of reference which was presented to the Auditor General.

The auditors report showed certain discrepancies in the management of the Aquaculture Centre and this was agreed upon unanimously. Mr Pullicino and Dr Hyzler wanted the audit not to be carried out only on past affairs but also on present day issues. They commented that this request on their behalf, showed a will to move toward greater transparency and that no Permanent Secretary has the authority to dictate to the PAC what is to be investigated.

Mr Gauci Borda made a request to Mr Leo Brincat to be exempt from attending any further PAC meetings, whilst also calling the police investigation, which found no one guilty, a farce.

Mr Pullicino and Dr Hyzler have invited Mr Gauci Borda to use the powers granted to him by law, when contesting investigation results. Since the PAC decision had been taken unanimously, his allegations should be seen as an attack on all the PAC members. They said they expected their colleagues to take a stance regarding the allegations. Both Mr George Pullicino and Dr George Hyzler declared that they shall continue to carry out their duties in the PAC thoroughly.