Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim blamed the former government for excessively sized office and power plant buildings in some islands.
Some powerhouses and offices built in the islands during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration exceeded the needs of those islands, said Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim today.
Speaking at the media briefing to provide the latest updates from the ministry, Minister Thoriq said that Maldives needs to increase its use of renewable energy resources and do a lot of work in the distribution and generation area.
However, the previous administration's lack of advance planning hinder these efforts, he said.
Some issues he highlighted include powerhouses and offices built in some island which exceed capacity needs, incomplete projects and lack facilities for some of the completed projects. He also said that the projects were executed in a way that enabled corruption.
"Some islands have powerhouses and utility company offices that exceed their needs. For example, large utility company offices and powerhouses, specially of FENAKA have been built in islands which don't even have a population of 500-1000 people," he said.
Thoriq detailed that while 60 such projects were implemented, many of them still lack necessary facilities despite construction being complete.
"I would also like to note that work in these places were done at about 114 percent higher than the market value of materials," he said.
"Additionally, cables and other equipment needed to supply electricity have been contracted at higher prices than required at the time and 15 to 20 percent was paid in advance. The remaining payments for these procurements has to be paid by this government. We are in the process of doing that now."
Due to this, providing services to the public at an affordable price also faces challenges, he said.
Large office buildings and powerhouses of FENAKA were built in different islands of the country during former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government. By the end of that administration, FEANKA was left with the most debt amongst state owned enterprises, while many were also offered temporary employment towards the elections.
Sign In