National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has said that the agreement signed with MMTV parent company Maldives Media House to rent office space is to be cancelled, citing the spread of false allegations of corruption.
National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) has said that the agreement signed with MMTV parent company Maldives Media House to rent office space is to be cancelled, citing the spread of false allegations of corruption.
NSPA was met with criticism after they entered an agreement to rent some floors from a building that was being subleased by Maldives Media House. NSPA had decided to rent the space with authorization from the National Tender Board and on an open tender basis.
NSPA said in a statement that Maldives Media House has proposed cancellation of the agreement as the untrue allegations being circulated regarding the agreement has caused them irreparable damage.
The agency said that the matter has been discussed with the Ministry of Finance, after which they have now decided to withdraw from the agreement.
NSPA has previously said that they had rented the new office spaces as their existing premises were nearing the end of the lease period, and said that it had been done through the Finance Ministry and National Tender Board, in accordance with policies.
They said that they had announced seeking office space twice, with Maldives Media House being the only respondent in the second round. NSPA assured that they had not had any dealings with any parties besides the National Tender Board.
NSPA had planned to rent the new office space for a period of five years for MVR 34 million.
With allegations being raised regarding the issue, NSPA appealed to the Anti Corruption Commission on last Friday to conduct an investigation into the matter.
The three floors were rented from former Minister Ahmed Thasmeen Ali's family home, Ma. Seeraazeege.
NSPA currently operates out of Mookai Suites. However, with the building needing renovation due to wear and tear over time, NSPA has previously said that they had to vacate those premises by last December. Failing to receive a government premise to run the offices, they said they had to seek a space to rent via the Tender Board.
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