The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) scandal exposes how state funds were funneled into a questionable deal, benefitting allies of President Mohamed Muizzu. The agency rented three floors of the Maafannu Seeraazeege building at an inflated price from Maldives Media House, the parent company of Muizzu’s MMTV channel. This transaction not only disregarded financial prudence but also bypassed transparency and competitive bidding practices mandated by public finance regulations.
NSPA initially advertised office space requirements ranging from 2,800 to 7,000 square feet earlier in the year but inexplicably escalated its demand to 12,000 square feet by July 2024. Maldives Media House—registered just months before—was the sole bidder, proposing a staggering MVR 34.8 million for five years. At MVR 580,000 per month, the rent for Seeraazeege’s three floors is far above market rates. Adhadhu’s investigation revealed that NSPA’s payments could cover the cost of five floors, not three, further highlighting the inflated pricing.
Maldives Media House’s connections to Muizzu are undeniable. It was initially registered with shareholders closely linked to his inner circle, including his residence manager Abdulla Zahir. Zahir gained infamy for carrying cash handouts to ruling party MPs, allegedly on Muizzu’s behalf. Though the company now officially belongs to Zahir, its rapid rise, the launch of MMTV, and its clear role in promoting Muizzu suggest deep-rooted political motives.
The Public Finance Regulation mandates cost-efficiency and competitive bidding for state transactions, both ignored in this case. The lack of an experience assessment in the tender process raises serious red flags. Former Tender Board Chairman Ismail Zariyand called it outright corruption. After media and public backlash, NSPA terminated the contract, but this only came after sustained criticism and a case filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
This scandal is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern under Muizzu’s administration. From cash handouts to questionable media ventures, state resources are being funneled to benefit his allies. Meanwhile, the President’s Office continues to deny links to MMTV, despite overwhelming evidence of political and financial connections.
