President of Anti-Corruption Commission of Maldives (ACC) Muawwiz Rasheed says efforts are underway to assess the actual cost of developing the 25-storey Dharumavantha Hospital.
The 25-storey building is the tallest and the most expensive building developed in the country. The assessment is part of an ongoing investigation, according to ACC. It is understood that ACC is investigating claims that the project was awarded at a higher rate than usual cost to develop such a building.
Muawwiz believes that although the assessment involves additional costs, it is imperative that the assessment is conducted by ACC. The assessment will explain the actual cost of such a building and the cost spent on the building developed in Male' City by the previous administration.
Furthermore, ACC is also investigating two serious corruption allegations in acquiring medical supplies and equipment for Dharumavantha Hospital.
Dharumavantha Hospital was developed by Shenhua Construction. The Singapore-based company was awarded the project on June 5, 2016 for USD 142 million, without bidding.
The public raised concerns as experts explained the cost of developing will not reach 142 million US dollars. Further, senior officials from the current administration, including President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, have noted acts of corruption in the project.