New Port hired to cater for Independence Day banquet

New Port has been chosen to prepare food for the Independence Day banquet this year as well, winning the bid.

Owner of New Port, Zahid Zameer has confirmed to “Sun” that the business has been chosen for the banquet.

“We were given the opportunity to prepare food for the Independence Day banquet this year as well, having won the bid. It will be prepared for 3,000 people,” said Zameer, who is also a council member of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

New Port had been hired to cater for the banquet held in 2015 to celebrate 50 years in independence as well. And faced criticism over the low-quality of their dishes.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had, himself, expressed disappointment over the dishes served at the banquet, saying that the food had been of “low quality” and not what he had expected.

Independence Day 2015 banquet had been held at Dharubaaruge, and had been attended by dignitaries from across the world.

President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali spoke to “Sun”, and said that New Port won the bid after offering a very low rate – MVR 79.30 per head for 3,000 people.

New Port employees preparing Independence Day 2015 banquet. - Sun file photo

The official said that New Port had been chosen based on a number of factors, and that their proposal had been better than the other two parties which sent in their bids.

Muaz also noted that only one party applied when the bid was announced for the first, and that three parties applied when the bid was announced again.

Factors looked at when choosing a party to carter for the banquet include the financial capability to prepare the dishes, as well as experience.

Muaz said that New Port had 2 years of experience catering for events, and the comments from their clients were positive.

He said that 15 varieties of food and beverage had been included in the menu sent by New Port, and that the business promised the dishes would be of high-quality.

After investigating the issue of Independence Day banquet 2015, Anti-Corruption Commission

(ACC) said that New Port been hired for the task without considering capability of the restaurant, and that New Port was too inexperienced to cater for such a huge event.

ACC had alleged New Port had been hired for the event using corrupt means, led by former former Minister for President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef.

Prosecutor General’s Office had rejected the case, saying there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him.