Infrastructure Malta direct orders spark questions over procurement

Public procurement practices within Infrastructure Malta have once again drawn attention following the publication of a new list of direct orders in the Government Gazette. The figures suggest that a mechanism designed primarily for urgent or exceptional circumstances may increasingly be used for a wider range of routine expenditures.

The records show a series of direct orders issued across several sectors including infrastructure works, advertising services, event organisation and other operational expenses. Among the entries are relatively small payments as well as contracts worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of euros.

Public procurement rules normally require competitive tendering for most government contracts in order to promote transparency and value for money. Direct orders, by contrast, allow public entities to award work without an open competition but are generally intended for cases where urgency or specific circumstances make a full tender process impractical.

The latest data covering the second half of 2025 indicates that direct orders represented a significant portion of Infrastructure Malta’s procurement activity during that period. This has led to renewed debate about how frequently the mechanism is being used and whether the balance between direct orders and competitive tenders aligns with established procurement principles.

Overview of procurement figures in 2025

The figures released in the Government Gazette show that between July and December 2025 Infrastructure Malta issued 15 competitive tenders while awarding 116 contracts through direct orders.

Although the number of tenders was relatively limited, the total financial value attached to them reached approximately €12.3 million. Direct orders during the same period reached a combined value of around €16.4 million.

These numbers suggest that while tenders continued to be used for several large projects, direct orders accounted for a considerable share of the agency’s overall spending.

Infrastructure Malta operates under the oversight of the Ministry responsible for transport and infrastructure and its activities often involve large scale public works such as road construction, urban improvements and coastal developments.

At the time covered by the data, the agency was led by Chief Executive Officer Steve Ellul, a former candidate in elections for the European Parliament.

Observers note that the difference between the number of tenders and direct orders does not automatically indicate irregularities since procurement frameworks allow direct orders under certain conditions. However the proportion recorded during the period has prompted discussion about how frequently the mechanism is applied in practice.

Commemorative plaques linked to infrastructure inaugurations

Among the smaller entries in the published list were two commemorative plaques ordered for infrastructure projects located in Bugibba and St Thomas Bay.

The plaques carried the name of Chris Bonett, Malta’s Minister responsible for transport and infrastructure. According to the records, the two items together amounted to €12,000 in direct orders.

Commemorative plaques are commonly installed at the opening of major public works projects to mark their completion and to acknowledge the institutions or officials involved. The projects associated with these plaques had experienced delays before their eventual inauguration.

While the financial value involved in this particular entry represents only a small fraction of Infrastructure Malta’s procurement activity, it attracted attention because it appeared among a list of direct orders rather than being part of a broader procurement contract.

Advertising and media related services

The Government Gazette list also included direct orders linked to advertising campaigns and media related services.

Some of these campaigns were executed through Media Hut, a communications agency owned by Anton Attard, a former official of Malta’s Nationalist Party. The advertising placements included promotion on a television programme broadcast on ONE TV.

The programme referenced in the list is presented by Ronald Vassallo, who previously served as a spokesperson for Malta’s Labour Party.

Advertising and public information campaigns are a common part of communication strategies for public agencies that manage large infrastructure projects. These campaigns often inform the public about road works, diversions, safety initiatives and the completion of new facilities.

Nevertheless the use of direct orders for advertising services has drawn attention in the context of the broader discussion about procurement procedures.

Other communications related services were also included in the records, such as media production and communications work carried out by Red-U, a media and digital marketing company operating in Malta.

Event services and smaller operational contracts

The list of direct orders also included several smaller contracts connected to events and operational needs.

Among them was a payment of €5,500 to singer Glenn Vella for what was described in the records as “musical services for an Infrastructure Malta event”. Glenn Vella is a well known Maltese performer who has appeared in national and international music competitions.

Other services included catering provided by Ta’ Xmun and office supplies purchased from The Notebook Centre.

Such purchases are not unusual for large public agencies which frequently organise events, conferences or project launches connected to infrastructure initiatives. These operational expenses typically represent relatively small portions of overall procurement budgets.

However the fact that these services were issued through direct orders rather than broader supply contracts has contributed to the ongoing scrutiny surrounding procurement methods.

Large scale works awarded through direct orders

While several entries in the published list involve modest sums, some of the largest direct orders concern infrastructure works worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of euros.

One notable example involves road works in the locality of Siggiewi valued at approximately €2.2 million. The contract was awarded to Philip Agius & Sons Ltd through a direct order.

Another project involved refurbishment works along the Marsascala promenade, a coastal area that has undergone several improvement initiatives in recent years. The works were valued at about €819,000 and were awarded to Schembri Barbros Ltd.

In addition, a project for the installation of safety barriers in the town of Mosta was carried out through a €669,000 direct order awarded to Bitmac Ltd.

Infrastructure works of this scale often involve urgent repairs or improvements to public roads and public spaces. Procurement regulations allow direct orders under specific circumstances, such as when timing constraints or technical considerations limit the feasibility of a full tender process.

However contracts of this size typically attract particular attention due to their financial impact and their importance within public infrastructure planning.

Local projects within the minister’s constituency

The procurement list also referenced landscaping works associated with a garden project in Paola.

The works were carried out by the local council with assistance from Infrastructure Malta and involved several contracts for landscaping services. According to the figures published in the Gazette, Derek Garden Centre received more than €300,000 in direct orders connected to the project.

Paola is part of the parliamentary constituency represented by Transport Minister Chris Bonett. Observers note that constituency related projects frequently involve collaboration between government agencies and local councils, particularly for urban regeneration or public space improvements.

The available data does not specify the individual tasks covered by each direct order but the combined value reflects multiple landscaping related services over the course of the project.

Role of direct orders in public procurement

Direct orders are a recognised tool within public procurement frameworks across many jurisdictions including Malta. They allow government bodies to procure goods or services quickly when circumstances require immediate action.

Typical examples include urgent infrastructure repairs after storms, safety related road works or specialised services that can only be provided by a specific supplier.

However oversight institutions often stress that the use of direct orders should remain limited and carefully justified.

In Malta the National Audit Office has previously highlighted the importance of ensuring that direct orders are used only when genuinely necessary. Its reports have repeatedly emphasised that open tendering remains the preferred approach for most public contracts.

Competitive tenders are designed to encourage transparency, promote fair competition among suppliers and help public authorities obtain value for money.

Continued scrutiny from oversight bodies

The publication of the latest procurement figures comes against the backdrop of earlier observations from the National Audit Office regarding procurement practices in the infrastructure sector.

In past reports the audit institution has recommended stronger adherence to procurement guidelines and greater justification when direct orders are issued for projects that might otherwise be suitable for open tender procedures.

The figures from the second half of 2025 indicate that direct orders continue to represent a substantial portion of Infrastructure Malta’s procurement activities.

It is important to note that the publication of direct orders in the Government Gazette forms part of transparency mechanisms within Malta’s public administration system. The listing allows journalists, researchers and the public to review how public funds are allocated across different projects and suppliers.

While the data alone does not establish whether individual decisions complied fully with procurement regulations, it provides a basis for ongoing public discussion about governance and administrative procedures.

Procurement transparency and public confidence

Public infrastructure projects are often among the largest areas of government spending. For this reason procurement practices attract consistent attention from oversight bodies, policymakers and civil society organisations.

Transparency mechanisms such as Gazette publications help ensure that procurement decisions remain visible to the public. These disclosures enable scrutiny of both the scale and frequency of contracts awarded through different procedures.

Maintaining public confidence in procurement systems typically depends on a combination of clear rules, proper oversight and consistent reporting.

As infrastructure development continues to play a central role in Malta’s economic and urban planning policies, procurement procedures within agencies such as Infrastructure Malta are likely to remain an important topic in public debate.

Conclusion

The latest list of direct orders issued by Infrastructure Malta provides a detailed snapshot of how public procurement decisions were made during the second half of 2025. The figures reveal a wide range of contracts spanning large scale road works, communications campaigns, event services and local landscaping projects.

While direct orders are a legitimate procurement mechanism under certain circumstances, the relatively high number recorded during this period has prompted renewed discussion about how often the procedure is used compared with open tenders.

Oversight institutions such as the National Audit Office have previously emphasised that direct orders should remain limited to exceptional or urgent situations. The data now available offers an opportunity for policymakers, administrators and the public to review how procurement practices continue to evolve within one of Malta’s most prominent infrastructure agencies.

As with many aspects of public administration, the long term objective remains a balanced procurement framework that combines efficiency, transparency and accountability while ensuring that infrastructure projects are delivered effectively for the benefit of the public.

FAQs

What is Infrastructure Malta?
Infrastructure Malta is a government agency responsible for planning and implementing major infrastructure projects across Malta including roads bridges and public spaces.

What are direct orders in public procurement?
Direct orders are procurement contracts awarded without an open tender process typically used when urgent circumstances require rapid action.

Why are direct orders sometimes controversial?
They can attract scrutiny because they bypass open competition which is normally used to ensure transparency and value for public funds.

How many direct orders were issued by Infrastructure Malta in late 2025?
According to published figures the agency issued 116 direct orders between July and December 2025.

What was the total value of direct orders during that period?
The combined value of direct orders issued in the second half of 2025 reached approximately €16.4 million.

How does this compare with competitive tenders?
During the same period Infrastructure Malta issued 15 tenders with a total value of about €12.3 million.

Which types of services were included in the direct orders?
The list included infrastructure works advertising services event related services landscaping projects catering and office supplies.

Who oversees procurement practices in Malta?
Procurement practices are subject to oversight by several institutions including the National Audit Office.

Are direct orders allowed under Maltese procurement rules?
Yes direct orders are permitted but they are generally intended for exceptional or urgent circumstances.

Why are procurement figures published in the Government Gazette?
Publishing procurement data in the Gazette promotes transparency and allows the public to review how government funds are spent.