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Malta’s Justice Minister And Staff Officer Spent Over €3,000 On Mobile Data While In Mauritius For Commonwealth Meeting

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Justice Minister Johnathan Attard and his Secretariat Staff Officer spent over €3,000 in mobile data roaming fees while in Mauritius attending a Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting.

The meeting, which occurred between 22nd and 25th November 2022, saw law ministers from all over the world gathering to facilitate information sharing and collaboration among countries, held at the InterContinental Resort in Balaclava.

Attard and his staff officer were in Mauritius from 20th November to 26th.

But it seems that good Wi-Fi wasn’t on the table during the Commonwealth meeting, with Attard and his staff officer spending a total of €3,286.86 during their six-day business trip. 

This was revealed through a Parliamentary Question brought forward by PN MP Darren Carabott, who has been questioning Malta’s Ministers on how much money they spend on roaming while attending government events in localities that require roaming services.

Screenshot from PQ

Screenshot from PQ

Lovin Malta reached out to a spokesperson from the Justice Ministry, to enquire about the roaming fees incurred during the trip. 

“As indicated in the reply to the Parliamentary Question, the Minister attended the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting, thus he was on official business,” he said.

“The Minister and the accompanying members of the secretariat had to make use of the roaming due to the following factors; firstly the lack of good Wi-Fi, secondly the conference coincided with a femicide that occurred in Malta.”

“With regards to the latter, there was the immediate need to communicate, and as you are well aware the minister opened an internal inquiry. Thirdly, the media requested comments from the Minister to which he responded.”

Meanwhile, others such as Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi only spent as much as €30 on roaming while attending to their responsibilities abroad.

Education and Sports Minister Clifton Grima had an even more minimal spend, at just €21 on roaming during the current legislature.

Cover image background: InterContinental Resort, Balaclava, Mauritius 

What do you make of this use of public funds? 

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Sasha is a writer, creator, and podcast host interested in environmental matters, humans, and art. Some know her as Sasha tas-Sigar. Inspired by nature and the changing world. Follow her on Instagram at @saaxhaa and send her your stories at [email protected]

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