The President’s Office has stated action will be taken on the findings of the audit report of the Ministry of Health, which revealed major irregularities in procuring health equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The compliance audit conducted on the COVID-19 expenditure of the health ministry revealed significant irregularities in the procurement of ventilators to the Maldives. In this regard, the report revealed the Dubai-based Executors General Trading was paid 90% of the quoted price in advance to procure 75 ventilators in April, whilst no ventilators have been procured despite four months having passed since signing the contract. The audit report also revealed the company was selected without assessing its financial and technical capabilities, in addition to not obtaining advance payment and performance guarantees.
The report further highlighted the price quoted by Executor General Trading was higher compared to other parties which submitted quotes. It also noted the contracts awarded to local parties to procure ventilators were not awarded via a competitive and fair bidding that befits to the circumstances.
Speaking on the findings of the report, Spokesperson of the President’s Office Ibrahim Hood affirmed the government will not hesitate to take action against those implicated in the scandal. He said necessary action will be taken as soon as the audit report is officially received by the government.
Meanwhile, former Spokesperson of the now dissolved National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) Mohamed Mabrook Azeez stated the information he shared during the daily COVID-19 press briefings regarding the procurement of ventilators was relayed by the relevant ministries. Mabrook said he ensured the information conveyed to the public was verified by the relevant ministries, even to extent of sharing contracted company names, payment details and delivery dates.
Noting the Auditor General’s latest report is an important step towards establishing accountability and transparency, the former spokesperson of NEOC said the case must be investigated thoroughly in order to hold the responsible officials of the government accountable.