Fish Market agreement signing case submitted to CSC: Azim

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has stated they had requested the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to take action against City Council Legal Officer Ali Naseer for signing the latter Fish Market agreement.

Prior to that, two USD 1 million contracts were signed for the development of the Male' Fish Market.

When President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu presided as the Mayor of Male', the Fish Market project was put up for bidding, with it being evaluated and awarded to selected parties at a cost of USD 6.1 million. 

However, after President Muizzu was elected and before current Male' Mayor Adam Azim took the position, the agreement was voided and made with another company. The agreement was made with a cost of USD 9.5 million. 

The new deal, which is USD 3.5 million more than the initial contract, was reportedly signed by Legal Officer Naseer.

Due to this, Male' City Council Galolhu North member Mohamed Saif Fathih had issued to Naseer for him to attend the meeting in order to find out what had happened. However, the debate did not move forward due to the quorum not being met.

Mayor Azim was criticized for not taking any action regarding the issue. In the press conference held by Male' City Council, Azim stated that if there is the slightest chance any losses would be incurred, relevant action would be taken.

"I have no tolerance for such things to occur here," said Azim.

He went on to say that Ali Naseer is a Civil Service employee and because of that, the council's next steps were to submit the case to the CSC.

Azim also stated that action can only be taken against Civil Service employees through the Civil Service itself.

"I immediately informed the Secretary General (SG) to take action against this employee. I also informed the SG that if action is to be taken, it can only be done so through the Civil Service," said Azim.

Ali Naseer was accused in the procurement of illegal benefits for certain parties, with a summons being requested to Naseer and put on the agenda to proceed with the case on three different occasions.

However, Saif had expressed concern due to the quorum not being met.

Saif has also submitted the case to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

During the meeting held in August by the City Council, Azim had announced that there were two contracts regarding the Fish Market. He also stated that it was unclear as to which one is correct.

Even though the first contract does not have that many issues, the second contract was written in such a way that it would be detrimental to the council, said Azim.