By Neville Borg
Identità CEO Steve Agius is set to leave the state agency to return to the healthcare sector, less than 18 months after taking up the role. He is expected to be replaced by Colonel Edric Zahra, who is stepping down from his role as deputy commander of the Armed Forces of Malta. Agius was appointed Identitá CEO in February 2024, succeeding Mark Mallia, another former AFM deputy commander. He was previously chief operating officer at Mater Dei Hospital where, among other things, he coordinated Malta’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Agius was seen as an ideal appointment for Identitá, which manages and vets Malta’s ever-growing foreign population, due to his expertise in big data. He recently completed a PhD focusing on prediction modelling. Under Agius’ tenure, Identitá upped its investigative work, carrying out more than twice as many investigations in 2024 as it did the preceding year. The agency also introduced rules requiring legal professionals to sign a new attestation form to be presented by third-country nationals when signing new leases, to the dismay of both the Notarial Council and the Chamber of Advocates. It also found itself at the centre of controversy after a magistrate upheld a request for an investigation into an alleged ID card scam. Sources told Times of Malta that Agius will be returning to the healthcare sector, although it is not yet known in what role. Colonel Edric Zahra became AFM deputy commander three years ago, taking over from Mark Mallia. Zahra joined the Armed Forces in 1999 and served in the AFM’s Rapid Deployment Team, the Maritime Squadron and as Officer Commanding the First Regiment. He followed studies in peacekeeping, terrorism and maritime law enforcement. He is retiring from that role after having completed 25 years of service.