MTCC towers case: A loss of MVR 39M; charges sought against five

Charges have been sought against five people in relation to the loss of MVR 39 million tied to a housing project intended for employees of the largely state-owned Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) probed a case involving actions contributing to a financial loss to the company in awarding the project to develop two housing towers intended for MTCC’s employees in Hulhumale’ Phase II.

According to ACC, the project was awarded to a foreign company among the bidders after allocating points in breach of the established evaluation criteria. Moreover, instead of terminating the agreement when the company violated its terms, they were issued 'advance payment' and 'progressive payments'.

The Commission emphasized the failure to terminate the agreement despite the contractor’s failure to fulfill the obligations outlined in it. Additionally, the Commission said attempts were made to separately award scope of work that is already covered under the agreement

ACC’s investigation uncovered that MTCC faced a loss of MVR 39,241,855 due to these actions.

The anti-corruption watchdog requested charges against the following individuals in connection with the case on Tuesday.

• Then-MTCC’s Chief Executive Officer Hassan Shah, Bageechaage, S. Maradhoofeydhoo
• Then-MTCC’s General Manager and member of Tender Evaluation Committee Shifau Ali, H. Fairy Palace, K. Male’
• Then-member of Tender Evaluation Committee Hussain Zuhuree, Parkeeza, Sh. Komandoo
• Then-member of Tender Evaluation Committee Mohamed Nazim, M. Pompiya, K. Male’
• Then-member of Tander Evaluation Committee Ismail Adhuham, G. Nila, K. Male’

The charges sought by ACC are abuse of official capacity for personal or third-party gain and acting against the interests of the state in official capacity.

ACC noted that they have sought an additional charge of an attempted crime against Shifau.

The Commission has also instructed MTCC to recover the MVR 39 million and any other financial losses incurred.

MTCC awarded the project to Singaporean company RI Engineering Private Limited in 2017, to be completed in two years. However, eight years later, the project remains incomplete.