The Auditor General has called for accountability following an audit that revealed a 10-day trip to Bangkok by the Haa Dhaalu Atoll Council, costing MVR 952,885, failed to deliver any tangible benefits.
The trip, undertaken in October last year, included 20 participants—13 councilors, the secretary general, and six senior management officials. Funded from the council's budget, the visit was intended to study Thailand's governance, attract investments, and learn about Good Governance, Public Policy, and Rural Development.
However, the audit report released yesterday revealed significant shortcomings:
The audit further uncovered major financial mismanagement:
The report also highlighted similar cases of councils engaging in costly overseas trips, including visits to the UAE, Turkey, and Thailand, despite government instructions to limit expenditures and avoid non-essential international travel.
The Ministry of Finance has been directed to take action against those responsible for the mismanagement of the Haa Dhaalu Atoll Council’s budget.