Business

ACC finds no graft in MRDC vehicles procurement

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday confirmed that there was no corruption involved in the procurement process of land vehicles and machinery to the Maldives Road Development Corporation (MRDC).

ACC released their statement following the conclusion of probing into complaint lodged at the entity over possible corruption and misconduct in procurement procedures during purchase of land vehicles and machinery to MRDC - in an apparent attempt to provide benefit to a favored party.

The investigation had ended in November 22, 2016.

A report compiled by ACC stated the assessment for selecting the best candidate or entity for the project, involved evaluation of best-practice model - including lowest interest rates, lowest advance and longest credit settlement period. The report added the company or entity, falling under the said criteria with the best offer was selected in a transparent manner.

The anti corruption body also concluded that MRDC opened for the procurement of land vehicles and machinery out of necessity - in order to carry out logistical and operational tasks - therefore the road development corp did not announce the project to levy any personal benefit to favored parties.

While ACC has confirmed about no corruption doused in the procurement procedure, an audio clip of someone who has been believed to be a board member of MRDC was leaked through social media - in which the apparent board member spoke about the company granting the project to a company that had USD 2.7 million more than the lowest bidder.