The Public Accounts Committee of the People's Majlis has decided to summon the former Managing Director and Financial Controller of Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) in connection with allegations of corruption in the construction of three tower buildings in Hulhumale' Phase 2 under the Hiyaa Project.

The decision to summon them was made following today's committee discussions on the special audit report of MPL's Hiyaa Project.

Speaking about the audit report, the Deputy Speaker of the Majlis and Member for Dhiggaru Constituency, Ahmed Nazim, said that the project's audit report shows nothing but negligence and embezzlement.

According to the audit report, while a six-day period was given to submit proposals for the project, no bid security was taken during the bidding phase, and only 2.2 percent was kept as performance security instead of 10 percent. The contractor's BOQ was submitted without including the cost of painting for many floors, and the cost of painting with variations is higher than other projects. Although it was agreed to complete the work within two years of handing over the site, the project was completed in five years and three months.

The report notes that a consultant was hired six months after the actual work began, and the audit highlights that the company's investment will not be recovered even after all flats are paid for.

It also notes that due to the need to spend from the company's cash flow, funds for other company matters were reduced, and dividends payable to the government from profits were not paid. As such, out of the MVR 346 million that the company had to pay as dividends from 2018 to 2022, MVR 291 million remains unpaid.

The proposal to summon the former MD and Financial Controller of MPL to the committee in connection with these issues was made by Member for Hanimaadhoo Constituency, Abdul Gafoor Moosa. It was seconded by Member for Fuvahmulah North Constituency, Mohamed Abdullah.