ACC probes NPC island leasing case

The Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed that it is investigating the matter of the National Planning Council (NPC) leasing islands to private companies after skipping the bidding process. President of the ACC Hassan Luthfy said today that the commission had asked the NPC not to lease islands for resort development when the commission first became aware of the plan but to open a bidding process to allow all interested parties to apply.

“Later we found out through the media that the NPC had ignored our instructions and commenced with their plan so the ACC has taken initiative to investigate the matter and we will take whoever is behind this to court,” he said.

He noted that the processes of handing over the islands to the companies have not been completed.

The NPC was to hand over islands for resort development under the condition that the company receiving the island is to carry out a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in an inhabited island.

“Some companies have been given a statement that says the island will be handed over, some companies have signed the lease agreement but the joint venture company stipulated under the agreement has not been created. The process of transfer has not been completed,” said Luthufy.

Around 10 islands were to be handed over to 10 companies under the project. The ACC stated that it is working on to conclude the matter as soon as possible.

Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad has also said that he is to submit the matter to the cabinet to make a final decision on the issue and that the islands have not been awarded yet.

“Though NPC had handed the islands over, a joint venture company had not been created with most recipients and so I will take the matter to the cabinet for a final decision,” Jihad said.
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