Two state employees arrested over Thinadhoo powerhouse fire

Two employees of the state-owned utility company were arrested Sunday over a fire that destroyed a southern island’s powerhouse and left thousands without electricity and water for days.

The two men with the Fenaka Corporation, aged 44 years and 28 years, were arrested from the island of Thinadhoo in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll under a court warrant. The police declined to provide further details or comment on whether the fire was an arson attack.

The powerhouse fire in January damaged three generators. It caused some MVR22million (US$1.4million) in damages.

Sources from the island told The Maldives Independent that the suspects are siblings, and identified them as Ibrahim Ahmed, an assistant manager and Yamin Mohamed, a junior employee.

Thinadhoo MP, Saudhullah Hilmy of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives confirmed that the pair are members of his party.

“Yes, they are PPM activists,” Saudulla said, adding: “They therefore obviously played an active role in my campaign since I was the party candidate.”

Saud Ali, a councillor for Thinadhoo, said that since power was restored on the island, electricity supply has been fairly consistent.

“Except for around 30 minutes a day, the island gets electricity but we do not know when there would be a permanent solution, with a new powerhouse,” he said

Fenaka said it could take up to three months to rebuild the powerhouse.