Public Accounts Committee to Investigate Fraud in Ventilator Deal

The Public Accounts Committee of the  Parliament has approved the initiation of a criminal investigation into the individuals involved in the failed procurement of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) revealed that the previous government awarded a contract for the supply of ventilators to Dubai-based Executors General Trading without securing a bank guarantee. Despite receiving payment, the company failed to deliver the ventilators. The ACC found that USD 2.2 million was paid to the company without proper verification of its credentials or consideration of its ability to fulfil the order. While some individuals involved in the case faced charges, most of these charges were later dropped.

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The issue of the ventilator procurement was raised at the committee by Ahmed Nazim, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Member of Parliament for Dhigurah. Nazim explained that he had submitted the matter to the committee after reviewing a confidential letter from the Attorney General’s Office. 

The letter disclosed that the government had pursued arbitration over the ventilator case but had made no progress in recovering US$1.88 million, along with additional expenses. Nazim stated that, as a result, it seemed unlikely that civil arbitration would lead to the recovery of funds.

The case falls under the jurisdiction of the Maldives Police Service, and the Prosecutor General has advised the police to conduct an investigation. Following this, the committee has approved the launch of a criminal investigation into the matter and has requested the Prosecutor General to prosecute those involved for fraud.