The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) officially launched its taxi service application today, despite the project being mired in serious allegations of corruption.
MTCC announced that the application is currently available on the Apple App Store, with a version for Android users expected to be released on the Google Play Store in the coming days.
The company further noted that customers can also book rides by contacting their taxi hotline at 1655.
The application first debuted on April 2; however, local developers quickly identified and publicized significant security vulnerabilities within the software. MTCC took the application offline shortly after these concerns began circulating.
Following the shutdown, the company announced a week of free taxi services, framing it as a promotional trial period. However, Adhadhu has confirmed that MTCC was compelled to offer the service for free because the application had been rendered unusable.
Since MTCC began charging for its taxi services on April 19, bookings have been managed through a web portal and the telephone hotline until yesterday’s relaunch.
The application in question was developed by a private firm known as Fixed Maldives.
MTCC Managing Director Ahmed Saudee stated that the MVR 13 million contract awarded to Fixed Maldives encompasses more than just the taxi app; it includes the establishment of a real-time tracking system to monitor the company’s entire transport network. He maintained that despite the initial technical failures, the firm is highly capable of delivering such projects.
Despite the assurances, information suggests procedural irregularities in the awarding of the contract to Fixed Maldives.
These allegations include a family connection between the head of Fixed Maldives and a senior manager on MTCC’s project team, close ties between MTCC executives and the private firm, the developer's lack of prior experience, and claims that substantial payments were disbursed before the work was completed.
MTCC management has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, with Saudee telling Adhadhu that no irregularities occurred during the procurement process.
