The audit report stated that, a year after the trip, no projects had been initiated in any islands of Haa Dhaalu atoll using the knowledge purportedly gained during the visit.
The Auditor General has called for action against members and employees of the Haa Dhaalu atoll Council after an audit revealed that a trip to Bangkok costing over MVR 900,000 yielded no tangible benefits.
An audit report released yesterday detailed the 10-day trip, undertaken in October last year, which cost MVR 952,885 from the council’s budget. The delegation included 20 people, including 13 councilors, the secretary general, and six senior management officials.
According to the council's report, the trip aimed to gain insights into Thailand's governance and attract investment for the atoll. Objectives included learning about Good Governance, Public Policy, and Rural Development.
However, the Auditor General's report highlighted that no clear plan had been set for how these objectives would be achieved or how the experience would benefit the council’s operations.
The audit report stated that, a year after the trip, no projects had been initiated in any islands of Haa Dhaalu atoll using the knowledge purportedly gained during the visit.
- The council exceeded its allocated travel budget of MVR 651,572 by over MVR 300,000 due to the trip
- Expenditures not accounted for in the budget were improperly managed, with funds being reallocated to cover costs without following legal requirements for supplementary budget approval
- The trip proceeded without securing necessary permissions from the Ministry of Finance
- The council failed to explore alternative funding sources, such as sponsorships or foreign assistance, and violated procurement regulations when purchasing goods for the trip
The Auditor General highlighted that this misuse of funds came despite government instructions to limit council expenditures and avoid non-essential international trips. The report noted similar instances of councils engaging in unproductive overseas visits to destinations like the UAE, Turkey, and Thailand.
Ministry of Finance has been directed to take action against those responsible for the council's expenses.
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