Ronald Mizzi has been reinstated as a Permanent Secretary, this time within the Office of the Prime Minister, despite the ongoing hospitals deal court case.
Mizzi is one of the persons facing charges in the hospitals deal case. The court had decreed that there was enough prima facie evidence for him, and others, to be indicted. Mizzi had resigned from the post of Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic projects last July.
In a statement, the Principal Permanent Secretary’s Office said that Ronald Mizzi has been appointed Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister (Malta Vision 2050, Implementation and Coordination). “Mizzi brings with him 20 years of experience in economic planning, European funds, and policy development. He previously served as Permanent Secretary between 2014 and 2022 (Ministry for Tourism) and between 2022 and 2024 (Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects).”
MaltaToday reported Prime Minister Robert Abela as saying on the programme Xtra: “When I saw how proceedings unfolded [in the Vitals court case], and I saw how the experts presented their reports, I saw fit to reinstate him.”
Two other public officers have been appointed as Permanent Secretaries in the Public Service.
Renzo Degabriele has been appointed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing. “Dr Degabriele has 30 years of experience in the Public Service and is a qualified medical doctor. In 2011, he served as Assistant Director in the Primary Health Department, and in 2019, he was appointed Chief Executive of Active Ageing and Community Health. Under his leadership, several new services were introduced, such as Telecare on the Move and Silver T, and a number of centres for the elderly were renovated and opened,” the statement by the Principal Permanent Secretary’s Office read.
Mario Borg has been appointed Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. “Mr Borg began his career in the Public Service in 1994. In 2004, he joined the Economic Policy Department within the Ministry for Finance. In 2015, he was appointed Director of Economic Statistics at the NSO, and in 2020, he was appointed CEO of the Gozo Regional Development Authority,” it read.
“These appointments were made after the officers were nominated by the Principal Permanent Secretary, Tony Sultana, to the Public Service Commission which, after evaluating the careers of each of the officers, recommended their appointment to the President of Malta.”
“The Public Service would like to thank and congratulate Christine Schembri and John Borg, who, after reaching retirement age, will be stepping down from the post of Permanent Secretary. This follows years of service and various contributions in different positions within the Public Service.”