Public Accounts Committee Directs STELCO to Address Rent Arrears in Staff Housing
Public Accounts Committee convenes for its 30th sitting | Photo: People’s Majlis
The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has instructed the State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) to take appropriate action against tenants who have defaulted on rent payments for flats allocated to its staff.
The directive follows a committee probe into unpaid rent totalling MVR 664,000 for STELCO flats, located in Hulhumalé Phase 2. The issue was raised by Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), who expressed concern over the lack of action against individuals who have failed to meet their payment obligations. According to Shareef, the majority of defaulters are former senior officials of STELCO.
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MPs highlighted that rent for the flats is deducted from the salaries of current staff members, a system that does not apply to those who have left the company. Shareef argued that the disparity creates an unfair situation in which former board members and senior officials are not held to the same standard as other employees. He proposed reclaiming the flats if necessary and called for formal action to be taken against defaulters.
STELCO informed the committee that 33 individuals have defaulted on rent, with the highest individual arrears amounting to MVR 178,000. Of the total MVR 664,000 in dues, MVR 488,000 represents unpaid rent while fines account for a further MVR 155,000.
North Henveiru MP Ahmed Aifan seconded Shareef’s proposal, which was later endorsed by the committee. Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau also supported stricter enforcement measures, including disconnection of electricity services for non-paying tenants, particularly those who have retired or left the company.
However, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) expressed reservations. He maintained that the matter should be resolved between the company and its employees as per the terms of the rent agreements, and questioned the need for committee involvement.
The STELCO flats were developed in 2022 at a total cost of MVR 623 million. A total of 360 housing units were allocated to staff under the project, with ownership of a one-bedroom unit costing MVR 2.1 million.
