USD 1.8 mn missing despite payment receipt

It has been revealed that USD 1.80 million in acquisition cost from lease of four islands has not been received by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) despite payment receipt.

“Though MMPRC issued receipt that they received cheques totaling USD 1.80 million in acquisition cost of four islands that were leased, the money has not gone into MMPRC bank account or bank account of any other individual to date,” read the special audit report on MMPRC prepared by Auditor General’s Office.

The report also notes that agreements had been made with parties for lease of three islands without taking USD 6 million owed on lease acquisition cost.

At the same time, delays have been allowed payment of lease acquisition cost totaling USD 11.25 million owed by 12 parties; while lease acquisition cost for A. Dh. Heenfaru, A. Dh. Alikoiru, and a lagoon in K Atoll and V Atoll had not been received.

The report, that details the biggest case of corruption in Maldivian history, noted that islands and lagoons had been given without any payment, and that agreements for an island and a lagoon had been extended without any payment.