Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has expressed concern on the government awarding projects without bidding.
ACC on Thursday said awarding projects without bidding paves way to corruption, and will likely impact the state treasury negatively.
"The commission is deeply concerned as this contradicts the spirit of the country's Public Finance Act and regulations, and increases the risk of corruption", said ACC in a tweet.
The commission urged the government to follow the state's procurement policies through transparent and competetive bidding processes.
ACC's statement comes while the government has awarded two major projects without a bid to two foreign companies earlier this week. The largest project handed under the policy thus far was awarded on Tuesday to a Dutch company to reclaim land in Gulhifalhu for US$ 53 million while the Addu power project was awarded to China's Dong Fang Electric Company for US$ 37.5 million on Wednesday.
Economic Minister Minister Fayyaz Ismail on Wednesday said the government has received 137 proposals to carry out projects that do not require bidding. 20 of these proposals are currently under negotiation, said the minister.
Projects are awarded without undergoing the bidding process under certain policies. The projects are awarded after the Economic Council assesses the proposals submitted by interested parties.
Addu City's power project was awarded to China's Dong Fang Electric Company for US$ 37.5 million -- Photo: AVAS
