|
I refer to the article entitled “Pullicino’s aide is ‘independent’ auditor for development zones” by James Debono published in the Malta Today of July 30, 2006.
Mr Debono’s assumption that Dr Ing Christopher Ciantar is the ‘right hand man’ of the Minister of Rural Affairs and the Environment, the Hon. George Pullicino, is completely wrong.
For the record, Dr Ing Christopher Ciantar is Director of Environment Policy and Initiatives within the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment. Dr Ciantar reports to the Permanent Secretary within the said Ministry, Dr Philip von Brockdorff, as it is the latter who offers leadership and general direction to this public officer.
Dr Ciantar is engaged upon the SEA Audit Team by virtue of his ex-officio status and has been appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers in view of his integrity, professionalism and expertise.
Both as a Director and as a Chair to the SEA Audit Team, Dr Ciantar is entrusted to act impartially as is expected from all senior public officials.
Emanuel Abela
Director of Information
Editorial Note: Chris Ciantar denies being Minister George Pullicino’s right-hand man. Just a month ago, Chris Ciantar sat on the same table as Minister George Pullicino during an interview with MaltaToday on the revision of building schemes. The newspaper did not solicit his presence during the interview. His presence and constant nods of approval for the Minister’s words gave the interviewer the impression that Ciantar is a very close aide of Minister Pullicino. While we harbour no doubts over Ciantar’s integrity and technical expertise, we stand by our story; the rationalisation exercise was audited by a close aide of Minister Pullicino.
|
