€7 million race track direct order given to PM’s villa contractor

Infrastructure Malta has awarded a €7 million direct order to Elbros Construction Ltd in connection with the delayed project to reconstruct the quarter-mile drag racing facility at Ħal Far, a decision that has raised serious questions within the construction industry and in political circles.

The contract was issued while the same company is simultaneously carrying out construction work on a large ODZ villa in Żejtun for Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife.

The overlap has prompted concerns, particularly as Elbros Construction, owned by Charles Ellul,  once a staunch pro-PN family, has never featured in similar Infrastructure Malta contracts and does not even form part of the agency’s existing framework agreement with road contractors.

The Shift is informed that the decision to award the direct order originated from an official at the Office of the Prime Minister, who has been tasked with overseeing the development of various motorsport facilities at Ħal Far. These projects were promised by Prime Minister Abela ahead of the last general elections.

Despite repeated requests, neither Infrastructure Malta nor the education ministry – the entity responsible for the project – has explained how Elbros Construction was awarded the contract without a competitive tender.

Over the past 12 months, PN MP David Agius has tabled a series of parliamentary questions seeking clarity on the project. These questions have remained unanswered.

Education Minister Clifton Grima has consistently refused to disclose the identity of the main contractor on the quarter-mile project and has also declined to reveal details of payments already made to Elbros.

The issue is further compounded by Prime Minister Abela’s recent unilateral decision to remove the obligation for cabinet members, including himself, to publicly declare their assets and those of their spouses and family members. This change affects disclosures and scrutiny not only for real estate but also for bank accounts and income.

Abela’s property spans two tumoli of land, acquired shortly before he became prime minister for a declared value of €600,000. According to Planning Authority documents, the Prime Minister and his wife have since demolished the existing structure, with Elbros now constructing a new vast property from scratch, including a pool and landscaped gardens.

The property was acquired just days after the Planning Authority sanctioned previous illegalities on the site. For a period, the uninhabited villa was also leased by the Abelas to two Russian nationals who were applying for Maltese citizenship.

The drag racing facility at Ħal Far is intended to upgrade the existing quarter-mile strip to meet international FIA standards. It forms part of a larger, multi-million-euro motorsport project promised by the government, which also includes a karting circuit and a full two-kilometre racetrack.

The quarter-mile strip, which is the first phase of the project, was promised to be completed by the end of last year. However, work has been ongoing for months, and the facility remains far from completion.

A few weeks ago, The Shift reported how Elbros Construction was also awarded another direct order by Infrastructure Malta for the rehabilitation of the Marsaskala promenade.

Once again, no competitive tender was issued; the contract was awarded directly to Elbros, together with another company, Schembri Barbros.

Following a request by ADPD, the National Audit Office is investigating the direct order awarded to Elbros Construction in connection with the Ħal Far racing track project.