MACL has the dollars, so this government is awarding projects at several times the actual cost: Azim

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has stated that the current administration is awarding projects, such as land reclamation, to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) at significantly inflated prices solely because the company possesses US dollar reserves.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the "Afiringe Jagaha" campaign center for the Addu Hulhudhoo constituency, Azim stated that the current administration conducts every affair in a manner designed to line their own pockets.

Azim stated that while MTCC possesses the technical capacity to execute such projects, land reclamation contracts are being awarded to MACL at significantly inflated prices simply because the company holds US Dollar reserves.

Due to the shortage of dollars in our banks, all projects are being transferred to MACL under the guise of land reclamation for various illicit purposes. Despite MTCC having the necessary capacity, even land reclamation projects are being moved to MACL simply because they have access to US dollars. This is being done solely to enable direct payments to foreign parties from their accounts. There is no other reason for this; it is a process driven entirely by deception and fraud.

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim

Azim stated that the Rasmale' reclamation project could have been completed for $35 million had it been awarded to MTCC. However, he noted that the current administration has already spent approximately $200 million on the project, characterizing the government’s actions as a total waste of public funds.

Azim stated that the motives behind the current administration's actions must be scrutinized. He further noted that the country has seen no progress since this government took office. However, the Mayor highlighted that 36 billion rufiyaa has been depleted from the state budget, adding that no one seems to know what these funds were spent on.

Azim stated that the incumbent President, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, lacks a basic understanding of the nation's affairs. He asserted that the President is unaware of the country's current resources, including the specific reserves of fuel and gas held by the State Trading Organization (STO). Furthermore, Azim noted that the President remains uninformed regarding the international market prices at which these essential commodities are being procured.

Azim further stated that he sees no reason why the public should grant additional power to a leader who acts in such a manner.