Councilman Saif files USD 9.6mn fish market contract with ACC

Malé City Councilor Mohamed Saif Fathih has on Thursday formally requested the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate claims made by Malé Mayor Adam Azim regarding the construction of the city's fish market.

The investigation focuses on allegations that the project's contract was transferred to a new contractor for a significantly higher sum and without proper documentation.

Mayor Azim stated on Wednesday that the Malé City Council had entered into two agreements for the fish market's development. The most recent agreement, he noted, was finalized for USD 9.6 million, a USD 3 million increase from the initial USD 6.1 million contract signed by the incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his tenure as mayor. Azim expressed concerns that if the increased amount is not paid, the land allocated for the market could be lost, a financial burden the council cannot afford.

In a letter to Mayor Azim, Councilor Saif emphasized the importance of formally referring the matter to the ACC on behalf of the city council. He also submitted the issue to the ACC in his capacity as a council member. Saif asserted that the city council had not approved any new agreement or related terms.

Saif further stated that the creation of a new contract and alteration of the contract price without proper authorization is a violation of the Finance Act and Regulations, imposing severe financial obligations and hardships on the city council. He characterized the situation as a criminal act of corruption and embezzlement, committed to secure an unfair advantage through bribery.

In light of these concerns, Saif requested that the council's legal counsel, Ali Naseer, be summoned to the council meeting on Wednesday to provide clarification on the process, purpose, and authorization of the new agreement. He also called for Naseer's suspension until the case is thoroughly investigated.

Additionally, Saif requested a detailed report from Mayor Azim to be submitted to Wednesday's session, outlining the developments of the case and the significant differences between the first and second agreements. He also demanded that both relevant agreements and supporting documents be made public or, at minimum, provided to him.

Nareesh, when contacted by Sun, clarified that a council's bid committee must finalize an agreement at an agreed-upon price, and any subsequent agreement would also require the committee's decision.

He stated that the Secretary General of the council would not sign an agreement without such a decision, nor would a council member sign an agreement without all required documents being completed.

Nareesh dismissed Azim's claims of the fish market being leased without documentation a second time as "nonsense," expressing confidence that no council member would sign an agreement without complete documentation.