Formal complaint submitted to Majlis regarding RDC granting "indiscriminate" staff promotions ahead of upcoming elections
Amid ongoing corruption allegations against the Road Development Corporation (RDC), the opposition has expressed concern over the company's recent announcement to hire 150 new employees across various islands, labeling it an attempt to influence the upcoming elections.
Managing Director of Road Development Corporation, Ibrahim Nazim, shakes hands with President Muizzu. | RDC | RDC
A complaint has been submitted to the People’s Majlis seeking an investigation into allegations that Road Development Corporation (RDC) is granting promotions to employees without established procedures ahead of the upcoming local council elections.
The matter was submitted to Parliament by Mohamed Meekail Ahmed Naseem, the MDP Member of Parliament for the North Galolhu constituency.
In a letter addressed to Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Meekail stated that he has received complaints regarding the Road Development Corporation (RDC) granting arbitrary promotions to employees ahead of the elections scheduled for the fourth of next month. Consequently, Meekail requested that the Committee on Independent Institutions clarify extensive details concerning the company's actions.
Meekail has requested comprehensive details regarding the company's operations from November 28, 2023, to March 10, 2024. This includes information on the Road Development Corporation's (RDC) promotion policies and standards, as well as its organizational structure, total staff count, and the classification of job roles. Furthermore, he has sought access to board decisions concerning the company's budgets for the past two years.
Furthermore, Meekail has requested details regarding former employees, the criteria and procedures used for granting promotions, and information on the staff currently employed within the Managing Director’s bureau. He also requested comprehensive details on the heads of various sections and departments, along with records of all board decisions made from last July through the 10th of this month. Additionally, he urged the Parliament’s State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Committee to convene a meeting as soon as possible to review these matters.
Amidst serious allegations of corruption against the Road Development Corporation (RDC), the company announced a large-scale recruitment drive on the 14th of this month. The announcement seeks to fill 150 vacancies across its sites in six different islands. Many have criticized the move, alleging that the mass hiring is a calculated attempt to exert undue influence ahead of the upcoming elections.
According to announcements made by the Road Development Corporation (RDC), the highest number of new recruits are being sought for HA. Uligan and AA. Rasdhoo. The corporation has opened applications for 50 positions in each of these islands. Additionally, RDC is looking to hire 24 employees for K. Kaashidhoo, 13 for Th. Madifushi, 12 for Lh. Naifaru, and one employee for Lh. Hinnavaru.
Opposition parties have accused President Muizzu of exploiting state resources and public enterprises to influence the outcome of the local council elections and the concurrent referendum on merging the two polls, both scheduled for April 4.
