Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation on 3 cases related to COVID-19 operations in the Maldives.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions, President of ACC Mariyam Shiuna said there have been allegations of corruption in acquiring certain services related to the COVID-19 situation in the Maldives. Shiuna said ACC opened the opportunity for the public to submit complaints on April 13, noting two complaints were received regarding state institutions. She said ACC is investigating a total of three cases related to the COVID-19 operations of the government, including one case which was initiated by the commission.
The head of ACC said the cases involve allegations of corruption in awarding contracts to procure ventilators as well as influence-peddling in evacuating certain locals stranded abroad. She said the commission is also investigating allegations of corruption in acquiring different products and services to the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ACC president said there are challenges in investigating the cases due to the COVID-19 situation. However, she said ACC plans to carry out the investigations in a professional and reliable manner. She added requests that have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, and Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) to obtain the relevant documents related to the cases under investigation.