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Karl Schembri
The head of the Transport Authority’s Driving Examinations and Technical Administration Unit, Major Mark Sammut Tagliaferro, asked not to be reappointed upon expiry of his contract last week as all but one of the driving examiners in his department are investigated in the cash-for-licences scandal.
Authority chief executive Gianfranco Selvaggi confirmed to MaltaToday that the retired army Major who is at a pensionable age “specifically asked not to have his contract extended”. His contract expired in June.
“Obviously I do not deny that Maj. Sammut Tagliaferro felt very disillusioned with the state of affairs,” Selvaggi said. “We shall miss the integrity and honesty Major Sammut Tagliaferro has always displayed in the conduct of his duties.”
While the unit’s former head, who reported directly to the chief executive, was not arrested by police for interrogations into the bribery scandal, five out of six examiners falling under his responsibility are on forced leave, with two already facing charges filed last week.
Last year, in a criminal case against an individual whom examiners claimed had attempted to bribe them, Maj. Sammut Tagliaferro had said he was not aware of any bribery attempts. He had also said that since the new driving test was introduced in May 2004, it was harder for people to pass.
Last week, Transport Minister Jesmond Mugliett ordered a board inquiry headed by Louis Cilia to investigate the internal procedures adopted by the unit and other departments within the authority in the wake of the bribery revelations.
Meanwhile the authority has transferred three enforcement officers to work temporarily as driving examiners and engaged two retired police officers in a bid to catch up with the backlog of driving exams.
kschembri@mediatoday.com.mt
Links:
www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/06/18/t14.html
www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/06/18/top_story.html
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