Settlement aided state interests, MP Saudhullah says

Swift Engineering was not paid compensation by the previous government and was instead given projects that benefited the state, Thinadhoo North MP Saudhullah Hilmee said Thursday.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating a case involving Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, who served as Economic Minister and a member of the settlement committee established to award compensation. The case concerns allegations that Fayyaz acted to the detriment of the state and took undue advantage in the compensation process related to Swift Engineering.

Fayyaz has been summoned to appear before the ACC on Monday for questioning.

Saudhullah stated on his Facebook page that six projects previously awarded to Swift Engineering under former President Abdullah Yameen’s government had been cancelled unlawfully. When the matter was reviewed by the settlement committee formed under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, the committee requested that the projects be re-awarded to the company at the same price as the cancelled contracts.

According to Saudhullah, Swift Engineering was not compensated in cash for the cancelled projects. Out of the six, five were re-awarded to the company as compensation, while two remain without any payment or compensation.

“The state has benefited greatly from this action. If the case had been taken to court, the state would have had to pay a large amount of money to Swift Engineering,” Saudhullah said.