In a candid conversation on Ricky Caruana’s podcast, Ħal Għargħur Mayor Mariah Meli outlined how the Local Council secured an agreement to repay the organisers of last year’s controversial boxing event, following legal action taken against the Council.
Meli explained that the event did not follow the standard procedures required for council-organised activities—procedures designed to safeguard transparency, financial oversight, and public accountability. The shortcomings, she noted, formed part of a broader pattern of weak governance and financial management that eroded trust in the previous administration.
To resolve the immediate liability and protect residents from further exposure, the Council entered into a loan agreement with the Ministry responsible for Local Government. This facility will be repaid over time, allowing the Council to stabilise its finances while meeting its obligations.
Mayor Meli stressed that responsibility for the episode will be pursued. She stated that the individual linked to the event, former Nationalist mayor Helen Gauci, will be held accountable, adding that legal action may be considered as part of the Council’s corrective measures.
Meli framed these steps within a wider commitment to good governance in Għargħur: restoring rigorous procedures for events, enforcing financial controls, and rebuilding public trust through transparency. She affirmed that the Council’s priority is to protect taxpayers, uphold the law, and ensure that community events are managed to the highest standards going forward.
