Majlis Committee Raises Alarming Concerns Over Audit Office Performance
Public Accounts Committee of parliament. | Photo: People’s Majlis
The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has raised serious concerns over the performance and accountability of the Auditor General’s Office, citing missed deadlines, unfulfilled audit commitments, and lack of cooperation with oversight institutions.
Deputy Speaker of Majlis Ahmed Nazim highlighted the issue during a committee meeting held today, criticising the Audit Office for repeatedly deploying the same staff to fieldwork, raising concerns over staff fatigue and operational vulnerability. He also noted that the Audit Office had failed to meet critical deadlines set by the committee, including for a special audit of state utility company FENAKA.
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According to Nazim, the Audit Office had pledged to conduct 621 audits in 2024 but has only completed 189—just 30 percent of the target. Additionally, out of the 18 special audits requested by the committee, only nine have been completed to date.
“The committee has addressed the concerns raised by the Auditor General regarding budget and salary limitations. But despite these issues being resolved, the Audit Office has not delivered on its responsibilities,” Nazim, who also represents Dhiggaru constituency, said.
Other committee members expressed similar frustrations. Some members even proposed summoning the Auditor General for questioning.
Committee Vice Chair Ahmed Saleem noted that if the Audit Office is unable to retrieve necessary information from government agencies, the committee itself should intervene. “The Parliament has the right to obtain information when there are signs of non-compliance or obstruction,” he asserted.
MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa from Hanimaadhoo constituency pointed out a legal limitation, stating that the current law does not empower the Audit Office to forcibly enter government institutions or seize documents for investigation.
The issue has taken a broader turn with a letter from the Environment Ministry to FENAKA—copied to Parliament—highlighting overdue audit reports that are delaying key energy projects and affecting international partnerships. Saleem warned that the lack of audit transparency could block funding and assistance from global agencies, particularly the World Bank.
Nazim added that, according to the Environment Ministry, a World Bank-funded project has already been stalled due to the pending audit of FENAKA. MP Abdulla Shareef from Kelaa constituency alleged that the delay was partly due to the former management of FENAKA destroying or concealing documents.
