17 February 2011.President Mohammad Nasheed has asked Acting Finance Minister Mahmoud Razi to investigate whether the Thilafushi reclamation project, awarded to Heavy Load Maldives, involved any corruption.
A statement issued by the President’s Office said the task was given to the Finance Ministry because every public company is run under the ministry.
“The request was made as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) ordered Thilafushi Corporation to halt the Thilafushi reclamation project, carried out by Heavy Load Maldives and to re-invite bids,” the statement read.
Despite ACC’s request to halt the project being carried out by Heavy Load to reclaim 130 hectares from the Thilafushi lagoon, the Thilafushi Corporation Limited (TCL) said it was continuing with the reclamation.
TCL awarded the US$21 million project to Heavy Load on September 30, 2010, to reclaim 130 hectares from Thilafushi lagoon.
The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group Leader ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik holds shares in Heavy Load.
