Gatt: Oil procurement decisions were not taken by just one or two people

Infrastructure Minister Austin has insisted he was never warned that any member of the oil procurement board was taking kickbacks or engaging in corruption. It was reported yesterday that Frank Sammut, who sat on the oil purchasing board, received thousands of dollars from Dutch oil firm Trafigura that supplied Enemalta with its fuel oil requirements. The case dates back to 2004, soon after the was set up by Dr Gatt. The prime minister has asked the police to investigate Dr Gatt said that in 2004 the board was enlarged to 10 members, who included Mr Sammut and representatives of the Finance Ministry, the oil division, the Central Bank and Enemalta. “We nominated a board of 10 people where decisions were taken together, not one or two persons deciding alone,” Dr Gatt said. Full story in The Times.