The CEO of Infrastructure Malta, Fredrick Azzopardi, has resigned from his position helming the roads agency after four years, he confirmed this week to local media outlets.

Ing Azzopardi, an engineer by profession, has served the agency since its inception in 2018, overseeing a controversial period of transformation to overhaul Malta’s road network.

Flagship projects undertaken under his leadership have included the Marsa flyover, the Santa Lucija underpass and the Central Link.

Under his guidance, the agency faced criticism from activists and affected residents for a perceived steam-roller approach to completing projects, brushing off the objections of activists and concerned residents.

His departure coincides with a post-election cabinet reshuffle which saw the Minister responsible for Transport, Infrastructure, and Capital projects, of which Infrastructure Malta falls under the remit of, change, from Ian Borg to Aaron Farrugia.

In comments to Times of Malta, he denied that his departure was linked to the Minister’s moving on, stating that he first notified the Government of his intention to move on in September, but that it had asked him to remain in the position until the General Election.

Before his stint at Infrastructure Malta, Ing Azzopardi helmed state-energy provider Enemalta, overseeing several projects now engulfed in corruption claims.

He will now leave the public sector role to join the private sector, but in his comments insisted that he would not be joining a local or international company in the construction industry, despite offers, as he did not think it would be ethical to do so.

“I accepted to join the management team of a group of companies that has not had any dealings with the Government entities I worked for.

“This group is focused on other sectors not linked to road infrastructure or other operations Infrastructure Malta is involved in,” he concluded.