An audit report has found that the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council spent MVR 1.9 million on three overseas study tours in 2024 despite government directives aimed at reducing public expenditure and improving efficiency.
According to the Audit Office’s 2024 Compliance Audit of the Secretariat of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council, the expenditure appeared to be inconsistent with instructions issued by the Ministry of Finance and the former Ministry of Local Government, which sought to control spending across the public sector.
The audit revealed that MVR 894,082 was spent on a study tour to Sri Lanka involving nine council members and 10 other participants, including the Secretary-General. A separate study tour to Sri Lanka undertaken by 17 council office staff members cost MVR 306,848.
The report also highlighted a 13-day study tour to Thailand involving nine council members and 10 others, including the Secretary-General, which cost MVR 723,936. The stated purpose of the trip was to observe sites related to taro leaf blight affecting islands in southern Huvadhu.
However, auditors noted that the expenditure appeared to conflict with government directives on public spending. The audit further found that the trip report contained no evidence of meetings with Thai authorities, research institutions or officially recognised agricultural organisations. It also stated that the delegation did not meet the country’s agriculture or tourism authorities during the visit.
In addition to concerns over travel expenditure, the audit identified several shortcomings in the council’s financial management practices.
The report stated that the council failed to properly maintain records of receivables during 2024, including the registration of bills, maintenance of the state-house receivables system and the recovery of MVR 833,070 owed from previous years in line with financial regulations.
The Audit Office also noted that a previous recommendation to recover MVR 233,018 allocated between 2018 and 2023 for the construction of the council office boundary wall had not been implemented.
Furthermore, the audit found that MVR 180,100 received as state revenue had not been deposited into the public bank account as of 18 August 2024.
The findings raise concerns over compliance with government spending controls and financial management practices within the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council.
