A case has been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the land reclamation project started in Kaafu atoll Fushidhiggaru, to develop a city called Rasmalé on the reclaimed land.
This project began on December 12.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that 1,153 hectares of land will be reclaimed in this project which has been contracted to Sri Lanka’s Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company.
While the administration has not revealed too many details regarding the project, ACC has confirmed they have received a case regarding it.
The commission did not disclose any details other than confirming they were investigation the matter.
However, Mihaaru News reported that the case was filed with ACC because the project was started when it had not been included in the state budget, nor did the administration follow the announcement procedure required when finding contractors for projects such as these.
MVR 400 million was allocated to the state budget for the land reclamation of Fushidhiggaru. However, the parliament, where the current opposition party Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) holds the majority, removed the allocated funding for this project and redistributed the money to other Public Sector Investment Programs (PSIP).
Later, the project was handed over to a Sri Lankan company, and the land reclamation commenced without disclosing how funds were raised for the project. The administration did not reveal any details regarding how the project was awarded to the company either.
President Muizzu has faced criticism for this move, with accusations that it is unlawful.