Auditor General Investigates Inflated Project Costs by Previous Government

Auditor General Ibrahim Niyazee has announced that the Auditor General’s Office is investigating cases where the previous government conducted various projects at inflated values.

Niyazee made this statement today while responding to a question posed by MP Ahmed Azaan of the Hithadhoo Central Constituency during the Public Accounts Committee meeting.

MP Azaan inquired why the Auditor General’s Office had not conducted special audits of the various projects undertaken at inflated costs by the previous government. He also asked if the Auditor General’s Office had a specific schedule to look into such projects.

In response, Niyazee explained that the Audit Office also initiates performance audits and special audits. He noted that some cases had already been forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Maldives Police Service.

Niyazee further elaborated that conducting audits takes time, highlighting various reasons for the delays.

The previous government, led by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is suspected of massive corruption involving projects carried out at inflated costs. One state-owned company implicated in this corruption is Fenaka, a utility company responsible for providing electricity.

Recently, the Public Accounts Committee ordered the Auditor General’s Office to conduct a special audit of Fenaka, with the audit expected to be completed by November 20, 2024.