ACC begins enquiry into MNDF resort project

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the Maldives has started an enquiry into a project to develop a resort in K. Thanburudhoo.

The project was initiated by MNDF Welfare Company, a corporative owned by shareholding members of the Maldives National Defense Force.

Speaking to Sun Online, Hassan Luthufy, President of the ACC told today that the project to develop a resort in Thandurudhoo is being carried out by a joint venture company incorporated by Sifco and the Ministry of Finance, and that the ACC was conducting an enquiry to ensure that there were no transactions that would lead to corruption in the enterprise. He also said that the ACC was already looking into statements given to media by concerned parties.

“As an enquiry is being conducted, we cannot say that the whole thing has been initiated and carried out in a particular manner, whether it is inappropriate or not. However, it is known from documentation that the agreement was made by the former government, and the project is currently being carried out as per that agreement. We are looking at all directions, and the ACC will not leave any matter that arouses suspicion or accusations uninvestigated, and we will not step back because of what some people might say”, said Luthufy.

Thanburudhoo, a famous surfing point in the Maldives, has been used as a training facility by the MNDF.

Speaking to Sun Online last Thursday, Muhammad Nazim, the Minister of Defence, said that Thanburudhoo would be contracted to Singaporean company Talos Investment to be developed as a Surf Boutique Resort island. He also said that the island would be contracted in return for an annual royalty, and that the rate of royalty is higher than any resort rent figure in the Maldives.

MNDF Trading Company is a company in which Sifco has 90 per cent shares, while the rest of the shares is owned by the Ministry of Finance. Luthufy, President of ACC, also said that the ACC was considering the question of whether such a company can be incorporated or not as well.

“The project is transparent and is open for our questioning. Hence, we will check the whole process, and then only will we be able to say anything”, said Luthufee.

Defense Minister Nazim had also promised that anybody wishing to look into the project would be given the chance, and assured that there were no acts of corruption in the enterprise.