Reeko Moosa: 3 people bought land in Lanka from Convention funds

Three people purchased land in neighboring Sri Lanka from the government funds to build the Equatorial Convention Center (ECC) in Addu City, says former Chairman of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Deputy Speaker of People’s Majlis, Reeko Moosa Manik.

Reeko Moosa had joined President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in his tour of G. A. Atoll. He made the claim during his speech at a gathering held in G. A. Vilingili, last Tuesday night.

Reeko said that while MDP accused President Yameen’s administration of corruption, MDP, during its rule were proven to have engaged in corruption. He said that at least three people were known to have purchased land in Sri Lanka from the government funds to build the ECC.

“I know that by the time the MDP administration completed building the Convention Center in Addu City, three people had purchased land and were living in Lanka. They also purchased hotels. Let’s talk about this too. Like some of the speakers tonight noted, we should not be talking about corruption and giving examples by running after some flag hoister in an Atoll office for smuggling a sack of cement into his home. Let’s take the list of corruption and see who and who stole. Who were corrupt,” said Reeko.

He said that while MDP accused the government of being corrupt, Yamin’s administration was spending the funds it received for investments, to pave roads, and other development projects.

The MVR 150 million ECC built in Addu City for the 17th SAARC Summit in 2011 was awarded to Amin Construction.

State Minister of Housing and Infrastructure during MDP’s administration, Akram Kamalluddin reported to the media that Amin Construction had originally bid to complete the project for MVR 210 million, but that the amount was reduced to MVR 150 million after negotiations between Amin Construction and Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure.