Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer claims the state body had acted through its mandate and stated guidelines in order to procure the ventilators from a foreign contractor.
Ameer made the affirmation during the Thursday meeting by Parliament's Committee of Financial Affairs, upon being questioned by the committee members.
The questions were directed to Minister Ameer following Auditor General's compliance audit report made towards the expenses incurred from Ministry of Health showing several financial irregularities.
The Committee of Financial Affairs summoned top brass of the Ministry of Finance in order to question them regarding the procurement expenses incurred by its peer government body - since all state approved procurement fall under the mandate of Ministry of Finance, as its regulatory body.
According to Maldives Minister of Finance, the authority had acted in compliance with the financial regulations of the state. Moreover, Minister Ameer confirms all expenses were incurred based on the demand and necessity of such expenses towards its resultant conditions.
Maldives state made a purchase order of MVR30 million to Dubai's Executors General Trading for the procument of 75 ventilators, while the total price of the equipment was a sum total of MVR34 million.
Although 90 percent of the payment were paid in advance, Maldives state have received only 10 ventilators till date. Moreover the shipped ventilators do not meet requirement of Ministry of Health's guidelines.
