Three cases related to GMR being probed: ACC

“This project was taken forward on a wide scale internationally. The State sought assistance from foreign consultants. As you know, they include parties such as IFC (International Finance Corporation),” he added.

Muavviz claimed that the awarding of INIA to GMR involved numerous allegations of offences.

“For example illegitimate benefit, bribery and fraud in the bid process. Numerous complaints have been received of alleged offences. We are undertaking an in-depth investigation including GMR’s fuel surcharge issue,” he detailed.

ACC President Hassan Luthfee admitted that foreign assistance had been sought as the Commission’s employees might not be equipped to handle an investigation of this magnitude.

He added that similar protocols would be followed in future cases as well.

While ACC has revealed its probe into three cases pertaining to GMR, last week ACC had urged the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and the Attorney General’s Office to litigate GMR to obtain the Airport Development Charge (ADC) and Insurance Surcharge payable to MACL.

The present government views the agreement made with GMR over the INIA contract in a different light. Prominent officials of President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik's government and pro-government political parties have claimed that due to some points entailed within the agreement had resulted in major losses to the State.