The President's Office has refused to disclose the procedures and documents related to the awarding of major projects without bidding or on a single-source basis.

Adhadhu submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the President's Office seeking important details on transparency when awarding projects.

But the President's Office did not provide the information as required by the RTI Act.

Key details kept secret by the government

• Procedure for submitting and selecting a project to the Economic Council for single-source procurement
• Proposals and reports submitted by the Ministries to the Economic Council for approval of a project under single-source procurement
• Report on the requirements of the proposal for a project under single-source procurement, as mentioned in 10.20 of the Public Finance Rules
• Selecting a specific bidder to carry out a project on single-source procurement and applying for permission from the Economic Council
• Report on the requirements of the proposal to carry out a project under 10.20 of the Public Finance Rules.

Adhadhu requested this information after the removal of personal or business secrets. But the President's Office refused to comply with the RTI law.

Single-source procurement is the awarding of projects directly to certain parties without going to competitive bidding, which could lead to corruption.

Last year, the government distributed projects worth MVR 2.7 billion without bidding to fulfil President Mohamed Muizzu's pledges.

Some of the companies have no experience, while others are in the process of being liquidated. The national bank, Bank of Maldives (BML), is funding these projects.

Muizzu previously said that the government has nothing to hide and will provide the requested information. But access to information has become more difficult since he assumed office.