The Public Finance Committee of the Parliament has approved launching a criminal investigation into the individuals involved in the failed procurement of ventilators for the Maldives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the former government awarded the contract to procure ventilators to Dubai-based Executors General Trading without a bank guarantee. The company for the supply of ventilators did not deliver the equipment despite receiving payment. ACC found that US$2.2 million was paid to the company without proper verification of the company’s credentials, and without considering its ability to supply the ventilators. Although some individuals involved in the case were charged, most of the charges were later dropped.
The ventilator scandal’s issue was raised at the committee by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Member of Parliament for Dhigurah Ahmed Nazim.
Speaking at the committee meeting, Nazim said he submitted the matter to the committee after discussing a confidential letter sent to the committee by the Attorney General's Office. The letter revealed that the government pursued arbitration over the ventilator case but made no progress in recovering US$1.88 million and additional expenses. Therefore, it is unlikely that civil arbitration can result in the recovery of funds, he said.
The case falls within the mandate of Maldives Police Service, and the Prosecutor General has advised the police to conduct an investigation, Nazim added.
The committee has now approved to conduct a criminal investigation into the case and to request the Prosecutor General (PG) to prosecute those involved for fraud.