President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the electricity development project of Hulhumale’ Phase 2 included massive corruption.

Speaking during a campaign event in N. Landhoo, the President noted that the electricity project could have been completed for USD 32 million. However, the project was awarded for USD 82 million, amounting to a staggering USD 50 million in corruption.

He added that he was finding it difficult to make a decision regarding this issue.

“Phase 2 electricity project is yet another difficult situation for me. I have to make a decision about it. That project has been awarded to a company, that too for USD 82 million. Today, STELCO is agreeing to finish the project for a total of USD 32 million, which is USD 50 million less,” President Solih said.

He revealed that the project has been awarded, contract signed and advance payment had already been paid off. The additional USD 50 million in this corruption could have been utilized to finish various projects for different islands, and noted that this too is another example of the massive corruption that has circled the previous government.

“I’m in a difficult situation to make a decision about this, because it has already been awarded and the advance paid off. This is how deep the previous government was in corruption. Had we gotten that USD 50 million, how many schools could we have built? How many harbors? How many health centers?” the President said.