Parliament to summon FENAKA management over electricity issues

The State Owned Enterprises (SOE) Committee of the parliament yesterday approved to summon the management of FENAKA in connection with the power supply issues in Addu City and other islands in the country

Central Hithadhoo's PNC MP Ahmed Azaan submitted the motion to the SOE committee claiming FENAKA's management was negligent in resolving the issue.

However, some members opposed the motion referring to FENAKA's statement released just the night before, detailing plans to resolve the issue.

The parliament's Deputy Speaker and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim, speaking at the committee meeting, said that while FENAKA's management has changed several times, the committee had not met the most newly appointed management.

He pointed out that the management would have a goal and they would have inherited the company in a certain situation. Because of this, he said it was important to meet with the management understand the true situation in Addu.

"So we need to know the real scenario. What is happening in Addu City. Each [management] comes in, spends a lot of money, line the management's pocket with a portion of it and the task doesn't get done. Addu people get the short end of the stick," he said.

He also pointed out that while Addu's electricity issue arises every once in a while, it is a big issue that a fully state owned company's situation deteriorated to this point.

He said Addu has a large population that would be profitable for the company, and that he believes Addu people deserve a good service.

Other members also pointed out that as Ramadan nears, other islands are also experiencing power issues, warranting insight into the company's plans to manage electricity supply.

South Fuvahmulah MP Ibrahim Hussain said Fuvahmulah also faces significant power issues and that if left unresolved, it would cause a lot of issues for locals.

He added that while efforts to build a new power plant in Fuvahmulah had begun, the project is now on hold, leaving the transformers brought for it to deteriorate.

Hussain said his efforts to bring the matter to the attention of FENAKA's management were in vain and that the lack of a sustainable solution was a matter of concern.

Several other MPs of various constituencies also proposed to proceed with summoning FENAKA's management over poor electricity supply in their constituencies as well. The committee voted in favour of the request.