Labour Organising Secretary William Lewis Coordinates Government-Funded Display in Valletta

Labour Party Official Coordinates Taxpayer-Funded Government Cube Project Ahead of Elections

William Lewis, the organising secretary of Malta’s governing Labour Party, has been appointed as a key logistics coordinator for a multi-million euro cube installation project in Valletta, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the blurring of lines between government initiatives and party campaigning.

The project, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Robert Abela during an elaborate event funded by taxpayers, is officially being presented as the launch platform for the government’s “Malta Vision 2050” strategy. However, sources close to the matter describe it as effectively a soft launch of Labour’s electoral campaign, coming just months before an anticipated general election.

Lewis, who oversees all major Labour Party mass events, has been contracted by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) as a consultant on logistics and architecture for the initiative. When contacted by The Shift news outlet, Lewis declined to answer questions about his role and the apparent conflicts of interest his appointment presents.

The installation, positioned prominently at the entrance to Malta’s capital city, will be unveiled during what industry insiders characterize as a large-scale production event. While the total cost remains undisclosed, sources indicate it runs into several million euros – a significant expenditure of public funds.

According to sources familiar with preparations for Labour’s upcoming electoral campaign, several contractors currently engaged on the cube project are expected to also participate in the party’s election activities. Companies reportedly benefiting from direct orders linked to the project include The Entertainment Company (TEC), its subsidiary IStage, Greatt Ltd and associated companies, RVC Ltd, and Mad About Video Ltd.

The procurement process has come under scrutiny, with the OPM failing to respond to questions about how suppliers were selected, the number of direct orders issued, or the criteria used in the selection process. The lack of transparency raises questions about whether proper competitive procedures were followed in awarding these contracts.

The procurement coordination falls under OPM Permanent Secretary Ronald Mizzi, who is currently facing criminal court proceedings over separate allegations of misappropriation of public funds and fraud. Mizzi has declined to answer questions about total expenditure on the project, contractor selection processes, or alleged personal connections with a director of one of the companies that received direct orders.

In what appears to be an attempt to legitimize the project, the OPM has invited Opposition members of parliament and senior officials from the Nationalist Party to attend the inauguration ceremony, which will be broadcast live on the state broadcaster. Sources suggest this invitation strategy may be designed to minimize scrutiny and potential future investigations into the use of public funds.

The installation has generated significant negative reaction on social media, with citizens criticizing its location at the historic entrance to Valletta and questioning the level of public expenditure involved during a time when many Maltese are facing economic challenges.

The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about governance in Malta, particularly regarding the separation between party and state affairs. With elections approaching, the use of government resources for what appears to be partially partisan purposes raises serious questions about electoral fairness and the appropriate use of taxpayer money.

As preparations continue for the launch event, the government maintains that the project represents a strategic vision for Malta’s future, though the overall cost and full details of the procurement process remain shrouded in secrecy, further fueling public skepticism about the true purpose of the installation.