Investigation ordered into quality of fuel oil

Confidential information submitted to the government cast doubts on the quality of oil which is being used at the Delimara and Marsa power stations.

According to a press statement issued by the Ministry for the Energy, the information was submitted to Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi.

After consulting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Mizzi ordered an investigation.

The independent investigation will be led by Judge Emeritus Philip Sciberras. It is believed that the investigation will seek to confirm whether claims of oil consignments which were off specifications are correct. If so, the investigation will have to determine who had been responsible for accepting the oil consignment and which steps should be taken.

This development comes as information revealed through the Public Accounts Committee showed that, in the recent past, fuel oil purchased by Enemalta Corporation did not match the specifications as set out by the tender conditions.