PN Calls For NAO Investigation Into Roderick Galdes ‘Meddling’ Accusations
The Nationalist Party has called on the National Audit Office to investigate Housing Minister Roderick Galdes in light of allegations of political meddling in a publicly listed company.
The PN said its members on Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee will formally request an NAO investigation into the operations of Malita Investments plc.
The request comes after former Malita plc chairperson and ex-Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi alleged that Galdes dismissed her for calling him out on interfering in a publicly listed company and ‘hobnobbing with contractors.
Malita is an investment holding company that finances large development projects. Although the government holds an 82% stake, it is listed on the Malta Stock Exchange and is supposed to operate on an independent and commercial basis.
“Marlene Mizzi claims she was removed from her post by Roderick Galdes shortly after a meeting in his office, during which she drew his attention to political interference within the company,” the PN said.
“In view of these allegations, the Partit Nazzjonalista insists that the Labour Government must immediately take all necessary steps to ensure the full truth emerges regarding the decisions taken in this sector and the intentions behind them.”
Meanwhile, Momentum asked Standards Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi to launch a separate investigation into Galdes.
Galdes said that his only communication with Malita was to urge them to reduce delays and ensure that social housing projects progressed at an acceptable pace.
However, Malita’s executive chair Johan Farrrugia has resigned and has been replaced by former Inland Revenue Commissioner Marvin Gaerty.