Gozo Minister yet to nominate member to Heritage Malta board

Despite yesterday's announcement of a new Heritage Malta board made by government, parliamentary secretary for culture José Herrera is still waiting for the confirmation of two other members approached to sit on the board.

Persons who contacted MaltaToday complained that no one from Gozo had been appointed on the board, in an apparent breach of the Heritage Malta Act.

But when contacted by this newspaper, Herrera's spokesperson said the parliamentary secretary was still waiting for the Minister for Gozo to nominate a person.

"The person from Gozo has yet to be nominated, and we are also waiting for two other persons to confirm their appointment," the spokesperson said.

Asked why the government had then chosen to announce the new board before it was completed, Herrera's spokesperson said it was to give "a sense of direction".

He added that the government could have chosen not to announce anything, but felt it was correct to inform the public on the progress made.

The spokesperson added that the government had also approached former Nationalist MPs Jean Pierre Farrugia and Karl Gouder to sit on the board - Farrugia on Heritage Malta and Gouder on the Malta Council for Culture and Arts - but had both turned down the offer.

Contacted by MaltaToday, Gouder confirmed he had been approached yesterday morning to sit on the board.

"But personally I don't feel I am qualified enough to sit on such an important board dealing with culture. Moreover, it is not ethical to sit on a board led by the government when our role is now to scrutinise government's work," Gouder said.

He added that he appreciated Herrera's request and the trust he showed in him.

Gouder denied having refused the offer after consulting PN leader Simon Busuttil. 

The new Heritage Malta board is chaired by Joe Buttigieg, assisted by Joanne Cassar, Tony Degiovanni, Peter Muscat, Gerald Montanaro Gauci, Anthony Zammit and secretary Andrea Bartolo.