Maldives minister says Kuwait pulled aid for procurement violation

The Kuwait Fund withdrew its aid to Maldives intended for the construction of hospitals after the government of former President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih violated the fund's procurement rules, Health Minister Dr Abdullah Khaleel said.

The last government twice opened bids for the construction of 30-bed hospitals in seven islands with the assistance of the Kuwait fund.

H.Dh.Hanimaadhoo is among these seven islands, and during a recent visit to the island late last month, President Mohammed Muizzu announced the withdrawal of the aid.

Speaking at a rally in the island, he said that the government of Solih did not use the fund, delaying the implementation of the projects, and the Kuwait Fund eventually withdrew the fund.

However, Solih’s Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer said Muizzu’s statement was "definitely false" and that no project or money had been withdrawn because of implementation delays.

In response to questions raised by members of Parliament on island hospitals, Khaleel said the awarding of some hospitals announced at the time had been delayed due to the withdrawal of Kuwait funds.

At this point, MP Hassan Afeef, who represents Th.Vilufushi, another among the seven islands, questioned why the fund had been withdrawn. 

"International funding agencies mainly require procurement as per the procedure laid down by them. As far as I am aware, Maldives wanted to go ahead with the award process in a certain way at that time, so the Kuwait Fund stopped doing it [giving that aid]," Khaleel said in response to Afeef’s question.

"Therefore, I am informed that the Kuwait Fund aid was withdrawn due to the procurement being conducted in violation of the rules”.

Khaleel briefly summarised some of his further remarks in parliament on Monday: