Hibernians FC team manager Jesmond Abela, the man behind disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat’s plan to take over the presidency of the Malta Football Association (MFA), has finally reported back to work after a long absence on sick leave.
Abela, known as ‘Il-Hutch’, was put on the public payroll as a ‘project management specialist’ at Projects Plus in 2017 but has been absent from work on unspecified sick leave since March 2021 while receiving a full salary.
During the period when he was declared not fit for work, Abela was seen attending football matches of his favourite team, as well as helping Labour candidate and now Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett to win a seat in parliament during the last general elections.
Projects Plus CEO James Camenzuli is refusing to reply to questions on Abela’s long absence from work. This week, ‘Il-Hutch’ was seen in Dublin, Ireland, accompanying Hibernians FC in a European international match.
‘Il-Hutch’ in Dublin this week despite being on sick leave for more than a year while receiving a full salary
Asked by The Shift for an investigation into this alleged abuse by a government employee and his employers, Minister Aaron Farrugia did not reply.
However, Projects Plus sources confirmed that Abela “suddenly” turned up for work after more than a year’s absence soon after The Shift’s report was published last Sunday.
Contacted by The Shift about whether he was still on sick leave while in Dublin, Abela said, “I am at work at the moment”, adding that if The Shift wanted answers, they should send an email.
Asked to give his email address, Abela said, “I don’t know what my email is. If they [his bosses] want, they can answer for me.” And then he hung up.
Project Plus sources told The Shift that while Abela was given a lucrative taxpayer-funded financial package, no one really knows what he is supposed to be doing to earn it.
Despite being given the title of ‘specialist’, he has no qualifications. His social media profile states he was ‘educated’ in Paola Square.
Sources said Abela was originally supposed to coordinate work related to a new ground the government was building for the Hibernians FC at Kordin, but no progress has been made on this vote-catching initiative since it was announced in 2017.
Ghaddej hajja u min edukah Paola Square?
The whole list of names, remuneration and key duties should be published for all political appointments.
MIn hexa mexa as the saying goes
A poor man is arrested for stealing some food items and this guy is stealing taxpayers to the tune of tens of thousands a year and doing f….. all!
Min jaf min hu Starsky?
Tghid min edukah jew min jikkurah?
Pressure must be made in parliament until Minister Aaron Farrugia opens up an investigation. In the meantime this opportunist, part of the Mafia gang, should be suspended from work, and his case investigated by the Police, including his superiors at the place of work, for not reporting the case. Until this happens, members of the opposition should walk out of the chamber whenever Minister Farrugia intervenes in Parliament, as a form of protest and for his passive attitude. Minister Farrugia is surely a puppet in the hands of his Royal Highness. Who is part of the inner circles knows this very well. This Gov is an insult to all civil servants who are dedicated to perform their duties diligently. Shame on you!!
Dan haddiem mal Gvern jew mal RSSL bhalma hu KSN?
Tghid sejrin it tellow lil min kien responsabli tieghu bhal ma ghamlu lil kieth schembri u il Kraus fuq MELVİN THEUMA. Nistennew u naraw. Sur sleepy Kummisarju Gafa