Transparency Maldives has called on the State to ensure accountability and recover funds lost to corruption in the procurement of 75 ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, it said that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government of the Maldives spent over MVR30 million to procure 75 ventilators through Dubai-based Executors General Trading.

It said that while the perpetrators of this alleged corruption have not been made accountable, we are deeply concerned that the AntiCorruption Commission (ACC) has decided to file the cases of eight individuals that were involved in this transaction after the cases were sent back to ACC by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Former Health Minister Abdullah Ameen

Transparency Maldives said that in the two years since the alleged corruption came to light, the case of eleven individuals involved in this procurement, including the former Minister of Health Abdullah Ameen, has been previously submitted by the ACC to PGO three times.

It said that following the fourth submission, the cases of eight individuals were sent back by the PGO without charge, and the cases were subsequently filed by the ACC.

It noted that this raised questions on the political will of the current administration to tackle corruption and the capacity of the investigative bodies to conduct independent investigations.

The statement read that the lack of transparency also raises concerns regarding the selective application of justice and the impunity enjoyed by those in power, affecting the public trust in the system.

The upfront payment of 90 percent of the total value, the use of single source procurement procedures using false information, the absence of performance and an advance payment guarantee, and selecting a brand of ventilators that were not agreed upon by the Bid Committee in order to award the contract to Executors General Trading all show that an unfair advantage was given to a particular party. We call for a proper investigation into this matter, to bring that responsible to justice and make them accountable, and recover the money lost from the Maldivian public.
Transparency Maldives

It called on the institutions responsible for investigating such cases to put aside their own interests and differences, and to act with integrity to make public interest the highest priority. Transparency said that identifying and taking legal action against those who have directly and indirectly benefited from this ventilator corruption is an important step towards addressing corruption vulnerabilities and closing the doors to corruption in the Maldives.

Transparency Maldives also called on the Parliament to ensure that all institutions mandated to fight corruption are financially competent, trained, and well-resourced to discharge their responsibilities

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen Transparency Maldives Ventilator News ACC