Rural affairs ministry spent €1.5 million in consultancies in a year

During 2012, the then ministry for resources and rural affairs spent €1.5 million in consultancy, paid to 57 consultants.

According to the information tabled in parliament this evening by Environment Minister Leo Brincat, the ministry alone paid €589,000 to 23 consultants. All 23 consultants were chosen on a person of trust basis.

On the other hand, WasteServ appointed 21 consultants at an expenditure of €721,000. The Parks Division on the other hand received four consultancy services, all through direct orders, and spent €44,000.

The information also shows that the Procurement and Supplies directorate commissioned nine consultancies, seven of which were through direct orders. One contract was awarded through a tendering process and another by quotation. A total of €198,000 were spent for these consultancies.

With a remuneration of €29,405 and a mobile and car allowance of €1,720, former WasteServ CEO Vince Magri was among those who served as consultant within the officie of the permanent secretary on projects carried out by the MRRA. Magri was employed on a person of trust basis on part-time basis.

The information tabled in parliament also shows a number of persons employed as advisors on a person of trust basis but no explanation was given of the type of consultancy these gave. Their contracts, which were then terminated, varied between €19,678 and €24,232.