The government’s plan to allocate an overwhelming MVR 278 million for the installation of elevators in Hiyaa towers, has sparked controversy.

The government's expenditure on elevators was disclosed after Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation (HDC) Fazul Rasheed responded to an inquiry by MP for Hanimaadhoo constituency Abdul Ghafoor.

At the Public Accounts Committee, MP Ghafoor asked Fazul whether USD 18 million which amounts to approximately MVR 278 million has been allocated for the installation of elevators at the Hiyaa towers.

In response, Fazul confirmed that it was true.

Fazul noted that the project to install elevators at Hiyaa towers, which is being carried out by China's Shenyang Yuansha Intellectual Industry Group, is a project being implemented as decided by the Economic Council of the President's Office.

As part of this project, 32 elevators will be installed in 16 towers, with each elevator costing USD 550,000 which is approximately MVR 8.5 million.

The Managing Director of HDC was summoned to the Public Accounts Committee of the People’s Majlis on Wednesday for questioning regarding the unpaid dues from various businesses to HDC.

While rumors have been circulating among the public that the work of installing elevators in Hiyaa flats has been awarded at an extremely high price in a manner that involves corruption, when a lawmaker asked if he considered the price for installing the elevators to be high, Fazul failed to respond.

According to information received, in addition to paying USD 18.3 million to the Chinese company for the elevators, the installation of the elevators is a separate expense. It is said that an additional MVR 17.6 million will be spent.