HDC Declines to Disclose Additional Elevator Costs for Hiyaa Flats

An allocation of MVR 200 million has been earmarked in the budget for the installation of supplementary elevators in the Hiyaa flats, a pledge made by President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu.

The contract for elevator installation has been awarded to China's Shenyang Yuanda Intellectual Industry Group Co. Ltd., with practical work commencing on the 18th of last month. The project is slated for completion within a year.

Under this initiative, each tower will have two additional elevators, totaling 32 new units, including both passenger and stretcher lifts.

Despite requests made under the Right to Information Act, HDC has declined to disclose the total project cost and the contract price awarded to the Chinese company. Citing Article 25 of the Right to Information Act, HDC justified its decision to withhold this information, which allows state-owned enterprises to refrain from disclosing information under certain circumstances.

According to Article 25, information may be withheld if it pertains to confidential business matters, international relations, or private agreements or transactions, where disclosure could potentially harm third-party interests or jeopardize diplomatic relationships.