Audit: N. Atoll Council owed over MVR 100,000 by council president

The N. Atoll Council is owed a large amount of money in outstanding payments, with the biggest amount owed by the council’s president Mohamed Basheer, shows a 2023 audit.

Table 3 of the audit report shows the top six non-payers collectively owe the N. Atoll Council over MVR 500,000, with the council’s president Basheer alone owing MVR 118,220.

Top six non-payers:

• N. Atoll Council’s president: MVR 118,220
• Ministry of Environment: MVR 114,500
• Ministry of National Planning: MVR 105,100
• N. Kendhikulhudhoo Council: MVR 71,350
• Ministry of Health and Family: MVR 61,500
• N. Manadhoo Council: MVR 52,645

The audit report shows that of the MVR 118,220 owed by Basheer, MVR 89,820 is for state house rent – as required under a May 20, 2021 circular on accommodation and food for presidents of atoll councils.

According to the audit, the MVR 89,820 is outstanding rent for Basheer’s state house between May 19, 2021 and December 31, 2023.

He also owes another MVR 28,400 for speedboat travel expenses, including those made for campaign trips.

According to the audit, most of the money owed by different state institutions are outstanding bills for speedboat travel.

The Auditor General’s Office advised the N. Atoll Council to engage in efforts to recover the payments.