Projects Malta board meetings were held at Finance Ministry, Daphne inquiry told

Projects Malta board meetings were mostly held at the Finance Ministry and the ministry's permanent secretary was always present for them, a former chairman of the government agency testified on Wednesday. 

William Wait was replying to questions about a statement made by Finance Minister Edward Scicluna, who while under oath had told the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry that Projects Malta was “not transparent.” 

Scicluna had said that his ministry was often sidelined when it came to controversial deals such as that for the Electrogas power station and Vitals Global Healthcare hospitals contract, which were in large part handled by Projects Malta.

The Finance Ministry found it very difficult to get information from the agency, Scicluna had added.

At the time, the agency was part of Konrad Mizzi's remit as minister.  

Testifying before the Caruana Galizia inquiry on Wednesday, Wait said that most of the agency's board meetings during his tenure were held at the boardroom of the permanent secretary of the Finance Ministry. 

Alfred Camilleri, the permanent secretary, had attended the 10 meetings held while he was chairman, Wait said.

“I would never hold a meeting unless he...