From 3D Costume Scanner To Statue Holograms: €290,000 Bill Footed By Malta Taxpayers For Public Service Expo
Last month’s Public Service Expo, organised by the Maltese government, saw a whopping €293,534.72 in taxpayers’ money being utilised, sparking a detailed debate about expenditure accountability in parliament.
This was revealed by Opposition MP Karol Aquilina, who requested Prime Minister Robert Abela to disclose the expenditure report related to the three-day event held from May 10 to 12.
The detailed breakdown of expenses highlights various aspects of the event, from venue costs to multimedia production, security, catering, and merchandise, among others.
According to the Prime Minister, the Public Service Expo, held for the first time at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, required €123,302.27, excluding VAT, for the venue and other ancillary setup costs.
The expo was the first instance where “all the Public Administration was under one roof” and sought to demonstrate the technological advancements in the public service sector.
This grand-scale event showcased a range of digital tools currently in use across various public services. From air traffic simulators to 3D costume scanning and statue holograms, the Expo had it all.
A range of other costs factored into the total expenditure. While €15,000 was spent on various designs and €3,320 went to videography, the printing and production works cost €24,780. Lighting and video control saw expenses of €31,144.30 and €25,897.65 respectively. Uniforms and merchandise accounted for a total of €19,161, split into three groups according to the figures presented in Parliament.
Audio requirements incurred an expense of €11,292.50, while catering and security provision costs totalled €19,139 and €9,750 respectively. Registration-related costs for the event summed up to €5,753.
Do you think this is a misuse of tax payer funds?