Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council Spends Over MVR 500K on Thailand Visit

An audit report has revealed that the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council spent MVR 559,168 on a trip to Thailand in 2023, despite government directives to restrict expenditure.

The stated objective of the trip was to gain knowledge and experience in agriculture, good governance, and local tourism. The delegation comprised nine council members and the Secretary General, who undertook the visit without securing external assistance or sponsorship.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

According to the audit, the largest portion of the funds, amounting to MVR 322,894, was allocated to day-to-day expenses and pocket money. Other costs included air tickets worth MVR 87,123, incidental expenditure of MVR 23,130, stopover costs of MVR 15,420, domestic travel expenses of MVR 33,850, accommodation and food in Malé amounting to MVR 27,900, and other travel-related costs of MVR 48,851.

The report noted that the expenditure was made after the Ministry of Finance had issued a circular instructing all government bodies to exercise financial prudence and improve efficiency. It concluded that the council’s spending was not in line with these directives.

During their visit, council members met with the Maldivian Embassy in Thailand and the Tourism Promotion Board of Thailand. The audit acknowledged that the trip had been intended to gather knowledge in key sectors but raised concerns about its cost and financial impact on the council’s budget.

In its recommendations, the audit urged the council to comply with Ministry of Finance guidelines on expenditure, avoid incurring large sums on overseas trips, and seek external sponsorship where possible. It further advised prioritising budget allocations for economic development within the islands, consulting with Visit Maldives on tourism matters, and pursuing training opportunities through the Local Government Authority.

The report also highlighted that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously criticised the high costs borne by councils for foreign travel related to training and experience. Meanwhile, the opposition has expressed concern that tighter restrictions could undermine decentralisation efforts.