Male’ City Council abolishes ‘Bid Evaluation Committee’, citing law doesn’t allow it

Male’ City Council has abolished the ‘Proposal Bid Evaluation Committee’ established by the Council, citing that the Public Finance Act does not allow for it.

The City Council voted to establish a ‘Proposal Bid Evaluation Committee’ during an official general meeting held previously. The Committee comprises of the Council’s Secretary General and four councilors.

During a meeting held on Wednesday, West Maafannu constituency Councilor Ibrahim Aboobakr proposed to establish a committee for providing counsel on bid evaluations instead, citing the law does not allow the Council to establish a committee for bid evaluation.

According to regulations formulated under the Public Finance Act, individuals holding electoral posts and political posts should not be included bid evaluation teams. As such, the regulation states councils may only establish a committee for providing counsel on bid evaluations.

Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim put forth a counter-proposal, suggesting to rename the committee instead of abolishing it. The Mayor noted that although the committee is named ‘Bid Evaluation Committee’, it had not undertaken any-related works.

Mayor Azim’s refusal to abolish the committee was slammed by North Galolhu constituency Councilor, who stressed that individuals opening the bids should not include councilors.

“First of all, it is a violation of the Public Finance Act for us to participate in opening bids. Thus, I support [its abolishment]. This process needs to be reversed. With the existing process, councilors are involved in opening and reviewing bills as first point of contact,” he explained.

As such, Said emphasized the importance of including councilors of difference political stances in the committee.

Vilimale’ Councilor Nahula Ali nominated several councilors for the Committee. They are:

• Deputy Mayor and North West Maafanu Councilor Mohamed Areesh
• North Maafannu Councilor Ibrahim Aboobakr
• West Henveiru Councilor Fathimath Shaufa Saleem
• North Galolhu Councilor Mohamed Saif Fathih
• Central Henveiru Councilor Ahmed Rishwan Rasheed
• Central Mahchangolhi Councilor Fathimath Ishan Latheef
• Vilimale’ Councilor Nahula Ali

Nahula’s proposal was seconded by Saif and Ishan. Mayor Azim responded by saying a list of councilors will be submitted at the next meeting, including their political affiliations. However, he refuted to ask for a vote on Nahula’s proposal – prompting protest from some councilors.

In this regard, the councilors stressed that a vote should be held if a proposal has been seconded.

Mayor Azim had then said nominations will be submitted after discussions with Deputy Mayor Areesh. He emphasized that if the Council had done wrong, it should be investigated – further heating up the meeting.

Ultimately, the Mayor proceeded with a vote, requesting to remove the name of Deputy Mayor Areesh from the list, to be replaced by South Maafannu Councilor Hassan Nizam.

The Council approved to establish the committee for providing counsel on bid evaluations, with the councilors nominated by Nahula receiving majority support from eight councilors.