Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has instructed the state to open projects for tender in accordance with procurement acts and policies.
ACC said the award of public projects without tender is likely to lead to corruption and significant losses to the state. The commission also raised concern as such tenders are against the basic principles of Public Finance Act. Hence, ACC called on the administration to award projects via a transparent and a competitive public tender procurement process.
The corruption watch dog gave the instructions reflecting public concern following the land reclamation award to Westminster Contracting Limited for USD 53 million without tender.
Following criticisms, Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure said the contract was awarded to the Dutch firm as per the Public Finance Act with the intent of completing the project swiftly. The ministry said the state-owned Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTTC) does not have the capacity to conduct such a mega project at the moment.
Meanwhile, MTCC has said its hopper dredger does not have the capacity to dredge 6 million cubic metres of land in 180 days.
The Public Finance Act allows the state to award projects to a contractor determined by the president based on advice and suggestions of Economic Council once a project proposal is submitted to the administration, without public tender.
The state has assured the public a thorough evaluation system has been established to award projects.