Ex-MACL board director Nooradeen raises serious allegations against govt

Ibrahim Nooradeen, who was removed from the Board of Directors of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) under the current administration, has raised serious allegations of government interference in the company’s operations.

In a post on the social media platform X, Nooradeen expressed deep concern over the present situation at MACL. Speaking publicly for the first time since his dismissal, he alleged that his removal was a direct consequence of his opposition to projects that bypassed established corporate procedures.

Nooradeen stated that he had opposed a project valued at MVR 93 million, which was intended to be awarded to the Road Development Corporation (RDC). He noted that the project fell outside RDC’s area of expertise and was being advanced without a competitive tendering process.

Furthermore, he claimed that the Board had been informed the contract would be awarded following “instructions from a higher authority.” Nooradeen stated that shortly after voicing his objection during a board meeting, and before returning home, he received an email notifying him of his dismissal.

He also alleged that the government’s National Advisor sought to grant a 25-year lease of the Jet Service Terminal to a company identified as JetX without a bidding process. Nooradeen highlighted that this service is currently developed and operated by several small-scale Maldivian private companies.

Nooradeen further questioned the conduct of the executive directors currently serving on the MACL Board and criticised the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) for its perceived inaction and lack of oversight.

There has been no official comment from the government or MACL regarding these allegations.

Nooradeen is a seasoned professional in the tourism sector and has previously served for a prolonged period on the MACL Board.