ACC storms into Polco for investigation

The Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC) stormed into the Polco office today to investigate the allegations of corruption in developing the police flats.

A police spokesperson confirmed that ACC is active at Polco, based out of Iskandharu Koshi, for the investigation.

An audit report issued by the Auditor General's Office last week said that while over a billion Rufiyaa was spent on developing the apartment buildings named "Blues Housing" which was completed in 10 years, the project was carried out at a loss of MVR 355.

The report also said that the agreements with the contractors were changed several times and that dues were paid to the contractors under different names instead of paying them for the work completed.

The Audit Office has recommended that the ACC and other investigative agencies initiate a probe into the allegations and take against all those involved in the transactions.

According to the report, completion was delayed and certain actions caused loss to the government while the contractor stood to benefit directly from it. As Polco's board failed to stop this from happening, the Audit Office also called for the board to be held responsible.

Construction of the police flats started in 2013. The project was awarded to Noomadi at the time under a contractor financing agreement. However, due to political and financial challenges, the agreement was cancelled on 27th January 2016.

The project was then taken over by Island Experts. However, the company went bankrupt during the Covid-19 pandemic, halting the project and leading to another cancellation.

A third contractor was then brought in; Amin Construction. While it was originally due to be completed in 2022, the contract was extended to allow more time to finish it.

Eventually police personnel moved in to the three bedroom 361 apartments last year.