Introduction of good governance role in shadow cabinet has become necessary - Delia

The Nationalist Party intends to step up the fight against corruption, PN leader Adrian Delia said yesterday, adding that the introduction of a good governance post within the party’s shadow cabinet had become necessary.

Speaking at the PN club in Siġġiewi, Delia referred to the shadow cabinet reshuffle he announced on Saturday.

Former party leader Simon Busuttil has been made spokesperson on good governance, while Delia has taken over the justice portfolio.

The PN leader stressed that the Nationalist Party’s first priority remained the fight against corruption.

“A good reputation can take your whole life to build but you can lose it in a day and that is what the government is doing.”

Delia made particular reference to the Vitals Global Healthcare concession deal, focusing on the anonymity and secrecy behind by the ultimate beneficial owners.

It was recently announced that the company, which had been given a 30-year concession to provide health care services and invest in the Gozo General Hospital, Karin Grech Hospital and St’ Luke’s Hospital, had decided to sell the concession just 21 months into operations.

Delia stated that the government, instead of choosing someone with experience to run our national hospitals, allowed “a locked-up black box… to steal from us all.”

Delia reminded everyone that the government in January paid Vitals €50 million in taxpayer money, adding that when VGH turned round and told the government they were a financial failure, Health Minister Chris Fearne still allowed them to pick their own replacement.

“We do not want any more lies. We need to be one voice and as of today we are going to be one voice to take back what is ours. We will go to the courts, take to the streets, and take back what is ours, and I will not be alone because every day our numbers are growing by the hundreds,” he stated.

Delia mentioned that there were 63,000 people waiting for a first appointment within the health sector. “If the government does not care about those who are unwell, then how much will it care for the other sectors?

“We will guarantee a clean government. Every cent made from corruption will be returned to the people… we will be the government the Maltese and Gozitans deserve,” he concluded.