Vice Speaker of Parliament, Nazim, stated that councils are needlessly spending on overseas trips and asserted that irresponsible spending must be curbed. He emphasized that councils must adopt the state's vision of reducing expenses during this debt crisis.
Vice Speaker of Parliament, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, has said that councils have not been responsible with the financial power given to them and highlighted the needless overseas travels to countries like Dubai, Turkey, and Bangkok as examples of irresponsible spending.
Debating on the State's Fiscal Responsibility bill proposed to parliament today, Nazim stated that despite councils receiving MVR 2.2 billion annually as block grants they have been using these funds without exercising financial responsibility.
He emphasized that local councils are undertaking frequent trips to Dubai, Turkey, and Bangkok despite the country's prominent financial crisis.
Revealing that the Haa Alif Atoll Council has planned a trip to Bangkok for the Independence Day holiday on July 26, Nazim further disclosed that councilors from Gaafu Dhaalu atoll had spent MVR 837,078 on a three-day trip to Dubai and a twelve-day trip to Turkey.
He added that the councilors converted the funds to dollars at an exchange rate of MVR 17.65 on the black market.
"This is not what we are trying to do, we all need to become more responsible," said Nazim, who serves the parliament as the MP for Dhiggaru Constituency.
The state has decided to implement several actions to reduce government expenditure in a bid to address the debt crisis.
Nazim said that local councils must also adopt the state's vision and assured that the Fiscal Act will be amended to implement these changes.
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