MPs angered as Aasandha refuses to disclose details of unpaid dues to companies

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee members have expressed anger after Aasandha Company refused to disclose the details of the unpaid dues to other companies at the request of the Committee.

The Committee requested the details of unpaid dues to other companies by both Aasandha and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA). Aasandha, in a written response, said “it was difficult” to provide the details of the unpaid dues to specific companies.

However, Aasandha said they can provide the details of unpaid dues in terms of the private sector and the public sector.

Speaking at Tuesday’s Committee meeting regarding the letter, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) said there was no reason to reject the request, adding the information has to be provided as instructed by the Committee.

“The information can be provided after declaring them confidential. It is at our discretion, whether we disclose the information or not. They cannot show excuses for not providing. I propose to obtain the information even if it requires an order,” he said.

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim also affirmed that the information requested by the Committee must be disclosed by Aasandha.

He emphasized the need to know why Aasandha has to pay such large sums of money to various Maldivian hospitals and the center established in collaboration with local and foreign hospitals.  

Meanwhile, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau alleged that most thefts took place within Aasandha in the past years. He pointed out that the Finance Minister had cited this as the sector that needed to be reformed at the earliest.

“There has been talk of influence by medical mafia in this issue. The President believes the public need to consume medications used by Europeans in order to close the doors for this,” he noted.

Following the arguments, the Committee decided to order Aasandha to disclose the requested information.