The government on Tuesday broke its silence on a €274 million direct order given to a private consortium for a 500-bed extension at St Vincent De Paul nursing home.
In a statement, a day after Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said he did not approve any direct order related for this project, and had only leant about it from The Sunday Times of Malta, a statement issued by the Family Ministry said “it categorically denies that a direct order was issued” and that the mentioned contract “was drawn according to procurement regulations.”
Read: Finance Minister gets to know of €274 million direct order from newspaper
The government also accused Times if Malta of “lying”.
Despite the government’s denial, on July 20, through the government gazette, the Ministry for Family and Social Solidarity, said it had issued a €273,649,689 million direct order to JCL (James Caterers Limited) and MHC (Malta Healthcare Company) Consortium for “the management services of new hospital/residence (part of a Public Private Partnership).
The approval of the direct order was obtained by the ministry on November 9, 2017 according to the same government gazette and had a direct order reference number:…
