Anti-graft watchdog seeks charges against Fenaka official

The anti-corruption watchdog has asked the Prosecutor General’s office to press charges against a senior official of a state-owned utility company over allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The Anti-Corruption Commission is seeking charges against the procurement department director of Fenaka Corporation for allegedly providing undue benefit to private parties in purchasing diesel for the company.

Fenaka provides electricity services for more than 150 out of the Maldives’ 188 inhabited islands.

The Fenaka official had violated a government directive to purchase diesel from a subsidiary of the state-owned wholesaler Fuel Supplies Maldives, according to the ACC.

Fenaka bought diesel from private companies at a higher rate than FSM from January to August 2016 causing a loss of MVR1.027 million (US$66, 799), the ACC said.

The diesel was purchased for electricity services in the southernmost four atolls along with the islands of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaal atoll and Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaal atoll.

The ACC concluded the individual had abused his authority to provide unlawful benefit to a third party, an offence under anti-corruption laws.

The watchdog also asked the PG’s office to recover the missing funds.

ACC information officer, Hassan Manik, confirmed to the Maldives Independent that the case had been forwarded to the PG’s office but declined to identify the Fenaka official. He was unable to provide additional details about the case at the time of going to press.

A Fenaka spokesman was also unavailable for comment when contacted by the Maldives Independent.

In September, a special audit of Fenaka uncovered a foreign exchange scam and corrupt fuel supply and procurement deals that cost the company millions in losses.