What the Sunday Papers say

A roundup of the newspaper headlines on Sunday morning.

MaltaToday reveals how the contract between Government and Skanska for the construction of Mater Dei Hospital included a clause waiving liability for any shortcomings. This could make it next to impossible for the government to recover damages from the contractor in the light of the revelations about the use of substandard quality cement. Details of the contract surfaced only now, coinciding with the news about the cement quality. Independent technical consultants ARUP had confirmed, earlier this week, that that cement made parts of the hospital very vulnerable to seismic activity.

The front page also features a match-fixing bust by Italian police, which has revealed foreign interest in rigging the Maltese football leagues. Robert and Adrian Farrugia, who are brothers, were named by Catanzaro police as forming part of a syndicate of match fixers. Robert Farrugia was previously president of Msida St. Joseph and Adrian Farrugia is team manager at Mosta FC. The pair have not yet been questioned by police.

“€40 million theft from Mater Dei” is how Sunday newspaper Illum describes the concrete quality scandal, quoting parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne as saying that the ARUP consultants had said they had only seen the type of concrete used in third world countries.

Illum’s front page is shared with a story about Labour MP Marlene Farrugia’s outspoken criticism of the government’s plans to build the American University at Zonqor point. The back page features the “Dirty Soccer” match-fixing scandal, also reproducing a transcript of an intercepted conversation between Adrian Farrugia and Italian football investor Felice Bellini about his fears that a group from China planned to kill his brother.

The Sunday Times of Malta

Three stories on dominate today’s front page, the Mater Dei concrete scandal featuring prominently, quoting an unnamed engineer as saying that he would expect limestone gravel concrete to be used for the floor of a garage, not in a supporting column of a hospital.

In another story, the Times reveals that Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who receives a €60,000 salary as executive chariman of the government’s science agency, only attends his government office on Wednesdays, being at his dental practice for the remainder of the working week.

A photograph of bathers and rescuers attempting to resuscitate a British tourist, who drowned together with his friend in strong currents off Comino.

It also reports, on the back page, that Mepa is still seeking €65,000 in expenses incurred in demolishing illegal buildings at Marsaskala at Zonqor Point in 2004.

The Malta Independent  leads with the American University project, saying the investor has contradicted the Prime Minister in saying that only one campus will be built. The Sadeen group are also quoted as saying that the environment will be respected and views will not be obstructed. 

Front page is shared with a report saying that Rosette Thake has announced her intention to contest the post of Secretary General of the PN.

It-Torca’s front page is dominated by a photo of Zonqor point, claiming that 13 years ago, the PN government had identified the site as a potential rubbish dump.

PN organ Il-Mument reveals that the government has issued a diplomatic passport to Cyrus Engerer and, in a separate story, quotes Labour MP Marlene Farrugia as accusing the government of terrifying the people, in reference to the farmers who own land at Zonqor point.