Godfrey Farrugia denies awarding €100,000 contract to ministry consultant

Health minister Godfrey Farrugia has rebutted reports that the IT contract for the Stock Control System for the Central Procurement Supplies Unit (CPSU) has been awarded to a company owned by an IT consultant within the health ministry.

It was reported that IT consultant Mark Sammut's company Mall Systems Ltd., had won the tender with a bid of €105,546 which was reportedly significantly cheaper than other contenders.

Branding the reports as "deplorable", the health ministry insisted that the IT contract for the new CPSU warehouse in San Gwann, had not even commenced as the adjudication committee is still being setup.

"The unfounded speculations published today may seriously jeopardise the evaluation process. The tender is still far from being awarded as the adjudication committee is still being setup."

Godfrey Farrugia had said that the new system was being built free of charge by Mater Dei IT Department workers, which move, would "save the government sums of money." However, it was reported that taxpayer will have to foot over €100,000 for the new IT system.

According to the ministry, the call for the tender ensures the government has a suitable stock control system in place by the time millions of stock in medicines and medical products are transferred to the new San Gwann warehouse.

"The ministry deplores these accusation as they might result in stalling the award process, to the detriment of millions euro worth of stocks or delaying the opening of the new warehouse."