|
 |
|
“Gordon Cordina deserves a public apology” – MEA
The Malta Employers Association have stated that the outcome of Eurostat’s analysis of the National Statistics Office’s data has left “no doubt about the correctness of the methodology applied”, calling for a public apology from those who accused former director Gordon Cordina of any manipulation.
“The verification exercise completely exonerates Dr Gordon Cordina of any manipulation of the figures and it is expected that those who cast doubt on his professional integrity as one of the foremost economists in Malta should issue a public apology,” director-general Joe Farrugia said.
He said that MEA was following developments on the matter with great concern, adding that the implications of the accusations were of a very serious nature. “We cannot have a situation where we cannot trust the objectivity of data that is the basis of many business and policy decisions. In the unlikely outcome that Eurostat had confirmed the charges against the NSO, MEA would have been the first to call for the resignation of Gordon Cordina.”
Farrugia said the incident should send a clear message that economics and propaganda do not mix.
“Political activists were too eager to jump the gun and sow seeds of doubt on the NSO, when it would have been a much more mature approach had they waited for the outcome of the Eurostat investigation before naming and shaming Gordon Cordina. In this instance, the smear campaign has completely backfired. Eurostat officials took account of the objections that were raised against the revisions and the conclusion fully backed the methodology that was used by NSO. This was no surprise, as the NSO has for years, provided a sterling service and the general perception has always been that it was detached from any sort of partisan manipulation.”
Farrugia said the controversy had been pointless, adding that economists of Cordina’s calibre and integrity are few and far between. “It is therefore expected that the individuals who levelled the accusations against Dr Cordina should own up to this blunder and make a public apology to regain their credibility.”
Likewise, banking employees’ union MUBE expressed its appreciation of Cordina’s “professional approach” in dealings with the economist within the MCESD. “It must be stated that we were always impressed with the integrity and enthusiasm shown by Dr Cordina towards any request forwarded by both CMTU and MUBE. MUBE feels that we owe this to Dr Cordina since we feel that at least both as a person and as a professional he does not deserve the recent bad publicity that has been circulated against his person.” |
