News

Ventilator case: Company instructed to pay MVR 34 million to Maldivian govt.

Published

3 months ago

27/02/2024

Maldives International Arbitration Centre (MIAC) has instructed Dubai-based Executors General Trading to pay MVR 34.5 million to the Maldivian government over failure to deliver ventilators – the company contracted by the government to procure ventilators to treat COVID-19 patients in critical condition.

Attorney General’s Office (AG Office), in a statement on Monday, said MIAC ruled on the case submitted for arbitration by the Maldivian government regarding the company’s violation of the agreement executed between Maldives’ Health Ministry and Executors General Trading on April 2, 2020, for the procurement of 75 ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the case submitted for arbitration by AG Office in February 2023 – the Maldivian government sought reimbursement for the ventilators that were not delivered and USD 2.1 million amounting to MVR 32.5 million in damages incurred over the non-delivery in addition to interest and arbitration costs.

MIAC concluded that Executors should pay USD 1.8 million for the ventilators that were not delivered – subject to two percent interest per year till the payment is settled. The said interest will be counted from May 2, 2021, onwards as per the ruling.

Additionally, the company has also been instructed to pay USD 223,750 in liquidated damages. The amount is also subject to a two percent interest per year till the payment is settled – from the date the liquidated damages was awarded.

As per AG Office, Executors did not attend any of the hearings over the course of the arbitration. It was also noted that the government incurred USD 132,865 to ensure the arbitration proceeds as the company had not paid the arbitration fee.

MIAC concluded Executors must reimburse the fee to the government; is also subject to a two percent interest per year till the payment is settled.

Therefore, the total amount of money owed to the government by the company totals at MVR 34.5 million.

AG Office, underscoring the award needs to be legally enforced, said the government was undertaking efforts in this trajectory.

Emphasizing that the Maldivian government incurred huge losses over the case – AG Office said the office, in collaboration with other relevant government authorities, is conducting further investigations.

The case involves an MVR 34.50 million contract awarded by the Health Ministry to Executors General Trading to procure 75 ventilators in 2020.

Executors General Trading only delivered 15 ventilators, and while Health Ministry paid MVR 30.91 million, which made for 90 percent of the total payment, to the company as an advance, without obtaining an advance guarantee or a performance guarantee.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Developmental projects of Maldives progressing substantially

Published

9 hours ago

18/05/2024

India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has affirmed that the developmental projects of the Maldives carried out with the assistance of India have been progressing considerably. The remarks were made by the minister during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CIIs) Annual Business Summit.

Speaking at the summit, Minister Jaishankar stated that some developmental projects were slightly politically influenced, hindering the progress. However, he assured that the progress of the projects have propelled at a notable rate.

Following the Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer’s official visit to India at the invitation of Minister Jaishankar, discussions were held highlighting the spectrum of initiatives across the nation has been kickstarted through loans and grants from the Government of India during the previous administration. He emphasised the current government’s commitment to prioritising the resumption and completion of these projects.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to the development and prosperity of the Maldives by extending a budgetary support of USD 50 million to be repaid within a term of one year.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Police officers complete training to prevent maritime terrorism acts

Published

24 hours ago

17/05/2024

A team of 22 police officers has successfully completed a specialised training programme focused on thwarting maritime terrorism activities.

Entitled “Training on Strengthening Capabilities to Disrupt Maritime Crimes as Related to Terrorist Threats,” the program was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Running from May 13 to 15, the intensive training equipped participants with essential skills and knowledge crucial for combating threats in maritime environments.

The concluding ceremony, graced by the presence of Chief Superintendent of Police Ibrahim Adnan Anees, Head of Marine Police, along with senior officials from the Marine Police Department, UNODC’s Head of Office Enrico Boninsegna, and course instructor Kenneth Alferdo Pennington, highlighted the significance of such initiatives in enhancing national security.

Addressing the gathering, Adnan underscored the importance of ongoing education and skill development, urging participants to actively apply the knowledge garnered from the program in their professional endeavors.

The training, conducted at Dhoonidhoo, Kaafu Atoll, imparted vital insights into the prevention and detection of maritime terrorism activities, emphasizing protocols for safe navigation in high-risk areas. Furthermore, officers received guidance on investigative procedures essential for effectively addressing such crimes, thereby bolstering the nation’s capabilities in combating maritime threats.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

President reverts land act amendment to parliament

Published

1 day ago

17/05/2024

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has reverted the Ninth Amendment Bill to the Maldives Land Act to Parliament for further consideration.

This bill, which seeks to establish criteria for recipients of residential land and mandates that land be allocated within three months of the publication of the permanent list of recipients in the gazette, was initially passed during the twenty-second sitting of Parliament’s first session this year and sent to the President’s Office for ratification on May 2.

In returning the bill, President Muizzu invoked Article 91(a) of the Constitution, which grants the President the authority to return legislation to Parliament for reconsideration.

The President’s Office has confirmed this, indicating the need for further review and potential revisions to the proposed amendment.

Source(s): PsmNews