Allegations of significant corruption surface against MTCC regarding "Male' Taxi App," which was reportedly awarded for MVR 13 million to a company with no prior experience in the field
Significant concerns have been raised over the awarding of the Male' Taxi App development project to "Fixed Maldives," a company reportedly lacking relevant industry experience, through a no-bid contract. The project, valued at approximately MVR 13 million, was granted to the entity despite it being registered only in 2022 as a sole proprietorship with no documented business names, operational permits, or technical licenses required for such a specialized technological undertaking.
The government's taxi line was officially launched on Thursday night with a fleet of 150 cars. | MTCC | MTCC
Allegations of significant corruption have surfaced against Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) regarding the development of the "Male' Taxi App." The company is accused of awarding the 13 million MVR project to an inexperienced firm.
RaajjeMV has learned that the "Male' Taxi App" project has been awarded to a company called "Fixed Maldives." The contract was reportedly granted through a restricted bidding process by invitation only, rather than a public tender.
The contract for the development of this application was awarded for approximately 13 million Maldivian Rufiyaa to Fixed Maldives, a sole proprietorship registered in 2022. Records indicate that no trade names, operational permits, or relevant professional licenses for this type of work are registered under this business entity.
The company's portfolio indicates extensive experience in hardware, camera systems, and networking. However, they lack a proven track record in software development or application design.
According to reports, the project was scheduled for completion last November; however, work on the application remained unfinished as of Thursday. Despite the delay, it is understood that a significant portion of the total payment for the project has already been disbursed.
The Male' taxi line service was officially launched on Thursday night, featuring a fleet of vehicles from the Chinese brand Changan Automobile, including the Lumin, S05, and S07 models.
MTCC has come under heavy fire following reports that 13 million Rufiyaa was spent on developing a mobile application. Many have labeled the expenditure a major act of corruption, with calls mounting for the company to clarify the procurement process through which the project was awarded. Critics have also urged authorities to investigate the matter, pointing out that the cost far exceeds international standards for developing similar applications used globally.
