MDP files ACC complaint over award of 206 projects without bidding

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleging irregularities in the government’s decision to award 206 development projects to private companies without an open bidding process.

The government awarded the projects to 53 Maldivian contractors at a ceremony held last week. The MDP, which had earlier announced its intention to challenge the decision, lodged the complaint with the ACC on Monday and said it will also pursue the matter in court.

Following the filing, MDP Legal Director Ahmed Mauroof said the party had requested that the case be treated as urgent due to the government’s plans to begin the projects immediately.

“We asked the government to halt all transactions related to these projects and to stop any advance payments to companies. If money is disbursed, it will be difficult to recover,” Mauroof said.

He added that the complaint was submitted to ensure that enforcement agencies investigate and prevent such actions. “We expected oversight bodies such as the ACC to initiate inquiries on their own. Since no institution has done so, we have now filed the case,” he said.

The 206 projects are valued at MVR 2.7 billion and include:

The Ministry of Finance has stated that the projects are being implemented under the investor-finance model through the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). Payments to contractors will be made only after verification of project progress.