The Male' City Council has launched an investigation into allegations that over MVR 9 million was paid to a company owned by a close associate of President Mohamed Muizzu during his tenure as Mayor, despite the contracted work remaining incomplete.
The concerns were raised by Fathimath Zahiyya (Zaya), the Councilor for the Hulhumale' North constituency, during a City Council meeting held today.
Zahiyya alleged that during Muizzu’s time as mayor, the project to digitize Male' City Council records was awarded on three separate occasions to Acutize Private Limited. The company is owned by Mohamed Asbah Ali Naseer, who currently serves as the Deputy Managing Director of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).
According to Zahiyya, although the company was contracted to complete the project between May 17, 2022, and August 16, 2022, Acutize failed to deliver the work within the timeframe.
She further noted that the contract was extended twice: first from August 15, 2022, to February 14, 2023, and again from February 15, 2023, to June 14, 2023.
Zahiyya stated that despite the passing of the third deadline, the digitization of the City Council’s records remains unfinished.
"After Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed the presidency of the Maldives, he appointed Mohamed Asbah Ali Naseer as the Deputy Managing Director of HDC," Zahiyya said.
"This proves beyond any doubt that more than MVR 9 million in taxpayer money was handed over to a close associate of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu."
Zahiyya also claimed that Acutize Private Limited was registered in 2021 and lacked the necessary permits to conduct business at the time.
During the session, she proposed that the matter be submitted to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for investigation. She further requested that the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office be petitioned to order the ACC to treat the case as a matter of urgency.
The Council floor voted to refer the matter to the relevant internal committee for a detailed review, after which it will be resubmitted to the floor for a final decision.
