Transport Malta CEO axed after less than a year in office

Jeffrey Curmi, the former Armed Forces of Malta Brigadier catapulted to the post of Transport Malta CEO last June, has been removed from the post on the direct orders of Prime Minster Robert Abela, The Shift can confirm.

The reasons behind the sudden forced resignation are still unknown, although sources close to Transport Malta have informed The Shift of a possible fallout with Castille over lethargy and a lack of initiative at the transport regulator and the Transport Ministry.

Curmi, considered a close ally of disgraced former prime minister Joseph Muscat, was placed in the position only last summer on the initiative of Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia.

He had been given a three-year contract worth €115,000 a year.

According to government sources, Curmi’s contract with the regulator has been terminated. Still, the government is expected to redeploy Curmi to a new post in a face-saving move for the former army chief.

In the meantime, manoeuvres are underway to find a replacement, with Minster Farrugia pushing for a member of his secretariat, Omar Debono, to assume the regulator’s top post. Debono has little to no experience in the sector.

Brigadier Curmi made headlines as soon as Labour was returned to power in 2013 when, in the space of six months and together with Mark Mallia, he was given four consecutive accelerated promotions through which he leapfrogged into the position of the army’s commander.

Hundreds of promotions were given to members of the army on the eve of the 2017 elections on his watch.

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Caesar
Caesar
1 year ago

What goes around comes around. Karma makes sure of that.,!!!!!

Osservatore
Osservatore
1 year ago
Reply to  Caesar

Unfortunately, the only things going around are the labour lackeys in their revolving doors. Its out of one post straight into the other, no matter how incompetent they might have been.

Thomas
Thomas
1 year ago

I think that this means for the tier-one PLers and close friends ‘scramble’, there’s a new CEO vacancy on offer to be filled.

The one now sacked was from the military, the other one handled as his successor also has no clue of this portfolio with Transport Malta. It’s getting even better with non-qualified people getting CEO jobs and with it a good salary while those qualified have to look in disbelief what is going on in their country.

The PL is in recent time proving that they are not fit for governing the country more than in the years before PM Abela took over from Joseph Muscat. For every voter who gave the PL his / her vote in last years GE, this must be an embarrassment to themselves as well.

Ian
Ian
1 year ago

Yeah ok. But now he will be given a golden handshake and another post, most probably more lucrative than this one. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!

Godfrey Leone Ganado
Godfrey Leone Ganado
1 year ago

The fruits of fake meritocracy. With this government no one is fit and proper, starting with the Labour Prime Ministers, the Labour Ministers, persons of trust and semi-literate friends of friends.
The only thing they are all good at is pocketing unearned income and living a life of sleeze. and obviously taking everyone for a ride.
I wonder what upgrade in his salary he will now get.
Why not employ him with Michelle Muscat and her suspicious Marygold Foundation which never publishes audited financial statements?

Out of Curiosity
Out of Curiosity
1 year ago

Most probably this Jeffrey Curmi is not a yes sir man and one of the idiots Robert Abela places in top posts who can be manipulated so easily. Now I start thinking the opposite way. Those who are removed so early it is only because they have balls and good sense of governance and those who remain in top posts it is only because they are slaves of their ruthless masters and ready to accommodate irrespectively.

Thomas
Thomas
1 year ago

CEO jobs have become a matter like ‘goodies for PL friends’. Just to occupy the post and get the salary.

I still find it hard to take what PL govts have done to Malta since they took over in 2013, but alas, I can’t change the reality, I am just observing it.

I think that the PL rather hates Malta and it has become even harder to distinguish between the individuals within and close to the PL. They come across to be all the same and it’s the greed that must have changed them. The examples which are proving that point of view aren’t ceasing to come in. The next who follows to that posting might also not last for long, then it is up to the next again. Nothing will improve by that way, just more taxpayers money wasted.

makjavel
makjavel
1 year ago

Being surrounded by Ian Borg appointees who are effectively untouchable , and being from the army , where discipline is normally the name of the game , e is probably being removed because he is objecting to more of the same appointees being pushed into TM by Aaron Farrugia. The Minister must have reached Curmi’s red line.

Gillian Camilleri
Gillian Camilleri
1 year ago

To out if curiosity# 100% agree# stand up and be counted# no yes minister no minister and out you go !!! My take in it, for what it’s worth

Mark
Mark
1 year ago

Il-mod kif tratta lil Godwin Schembri fuq naqa ta’ video dwar grada… gie lura ghandu bhal boomerange, u kif taghmel jaghmlulek fil-hajja. Ma jixraqlux ahjar. Ja bicca inkompetenti.

wenzu
wenzu
1 year ago

“Debono has little to no experience in the sector.” PERFECT qualifications for the MLP cronies.

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