Transport Malta architects cleared of bribery allegations

Two Transport Malta architects forming part of the committee that was evaluating a tender issued by Transport Malta for the construction of a number of roads, have been cleared of allegations of bribery. 

Transport Malta said these employees were investigated by the police after allegations were made by one of the bidders for this tender.

“The Police informed Transport Malta that, following thorough investigations, there were no grounds for criminal action to be taken against them,” a spokesperson said.

The architects were accused by the firms Polidano Bros and Giustino Costruzioni SpA, who appealed a decision to award a €40 million Ten-T Road Network contract to the Schembri Group, of dining at a restaurant owned by the contract winner’s owner, known as ‘Dobbu’.

The tender is for the upgrading of five sections of the Ten-T road network, namely the Council of Europe Avenue and Garibaldi Road in Luqa, the Sea Passenger Terminal road, Marfa Road and the Mellieha Bypass, and Mgarr Road in Gozo.

The contract decision was appealed by Polidano Bros, after it had been disqualified for not including a Financial Identification Form and a Non-Collusive Tendering Certificate in its bid.

Polidano said it had submitted these documents in a CD it presented with its offer, and then alleged that the two TM architects responsible for the Ten-T tender had been seen dining at Schembri’s restaurant.

On its part, the Schembri Group said that TM chairperson Mark Portelli himself had a conflict of interest as the managing director of Peninsula Investments, which runs the Westin Dragonara hotel that is also owned by Polidano Bros.

In its decision, the appeals board said “it was not convinced that the procedure followed (by the evaluation board) was the most practical, with the Evaluation Board seemingly falling short of conducting a proper assessment, overlooking the process and details submitted, hat were either found when further analysis was conducted the hearing or else, amply identifiable in other areas.”

The appeals board allowed Polidano Bros to be readmitted to the adjudication process, and the contract to be reopened.