While concerns are being expressed that the Maldives' construction industry is being completely destroyed and all major government projects are being given to State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), agreements have been signed with SOEs for the construction of new buildings for health facilities on nine islands.

The agreements were signed at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Health on Thursday.

The work has been assigned to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Fenaka Corporation, and Road Development Corporation (RDC).

The work assigned to MTCC includes the construction of N. Fodhdhoo Health Center, Sh. Maaungoodhoo Health Center, V. Felidhoo Hospital, and Th. Vilufushi Hospital. The total amount for these four projects assigned to MTCC is MVR 246,590,755.

In addition to this, RDC has been assigned the construction of K. Gaafaru Health Center, the Dhamanaveshi being built in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi City, HDh. Hanimaadhoo Hospital, and ADh. Maamigili Hospital. The projects assigned to RDC amount to MVR 259,777,909.

Further, the construction of HDh. Makunudhoo Health Center has been assigned to Fenaka Corporation for MVR 103,595,304.83.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said that the agreements for additional health facilities will be signed in the near future. He also assured that work in the health sector will be carried out in line with the president's pledge.

Speaking at the People's Majlis last Tuesday, MP for Velidhoo Constituency, Mohamed Abbas, said that what the people are observing in the country today is the complete destruction of the Maldives' construction industry and all major government projects being given to SOEs, which he said is opening the door to corruption. Abbas added that this is direct theft from the citizens.

While these allegations have been made against the government, private parties working in the construction sector continue to express concern over these health projects being given to government SOEs without being given to any private parties. It is also noted that many of these projects were previously assigned to private companies through a bidding process and work was underway. It is reported that these projects have been assigned to SOEs without consulting the parties who were previously running these projects and without completing the termination process.