With the emergence of major corruption cases related to the Police Welfare Company (POLCO), the Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has decided to instruct the Finance Ministry to establish a special section at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate such cases. In today’s sub’s sub-committee meeting regarding the corruption case of POLCO investigated by the Public Accounts Committee, the committee revealed its findings on the matter.
The Sub-Committee Chair and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Ahmed Nazim, stated that since individuals suspected in the POLCO corruption case still hold senior positions in the police force, it would be a conflict of interest for the police to investigate the matter. He also mentioned that there is enough evidence to conduct criminal investigations on some of these individuals.
“As the alleged crimes involve sensitive issues, we determine these cases as sensitive matters involving corruption. As per ACC’s letter dated July 8, we request to establish a Serious and Complex Financial Investigation Office or Section to investigate such corruption cases, and to provide the necessary financial assistance, staff, resources, and space to set up this office or section for conducting investigations,” said Nazim.
He stated that the Finance Ministry should be instructed to arrange the financial matters needed to establish the Serious and Complex Financial Investigation Section at ACC.
Nazim said that although the initial thought was to have a presidential commission investigate the POLCO case, the Public Accounts Committee now prioritizes strengthening the ACC and having such cases investigated under that institution. Nazim also mentioned that they have requested the recovery of state assets lost in connection with the POLCO corruption case. The committee has also decided to issue special instructions to POLCO, the Home Ministry, and Customs.
“We are instructing Customs to share a report with the Public Accounts Committee within 30 days, listing the status of vessels such as dredgers, tugs, and excavators that were imported duty-free or for re-export for various projects, including those other than this project. These vessels are being used for other projects without paying taxes, causing losses to businesses that import and operate legitimately by paying taxes,” he said.
The sub-committee’s decisions will be submitted to the Public Accounts Committee for approval. In addition to Customs, instructions will also be given to the Attorney General. Fifteen instructions will be given to the Attorney General. It has been revealed in the Auditor General’s report that the construction of police flats in Hulhumale’ Phase 1 has cost one billion rufiyaa so far, benefiting certain parties, and is a project carried out with a loss of 355 million rufiyaa.
According to the audit conducted on the Police Housing Project, which began on June 23, 2013, in collaboration with Blues Housing, 1.06 billion rufiyaa has been spent on the project so far. The cost per square foot is 1,851 rufiyaa, and the total expenditure to date is twice the project’s original cost, according to the audit.
