Pro-government parliament MPs have defended Fenaka Corporation over the allegations of corruption, calling out to investigate the role of third-party contractors and suppliers in the corruption.
While the MPs have made this demand, it was learned earlier in April that Fenaka Corporation owed MVR 2.8 billion at the time to its suppliers and other contractors.
Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef (PNC) submitted a resolution to the parliament urging Fenaka Corporation to expedite paying the third-party contractors and suppliers, and conduct financial and management audits as well as provide a debt repayment plan.
Opposition MPs have placed serious allegations of corruption on the utility provider.
West-Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef said the company had 31 different cases of alleged corruption amounting to MVR 71.9 million lodged at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) already.
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb alleged Fenaka Corporation was overpaying for various projects.
"We need to investigate if the projects were billed at the actual market price," Ilyas said.
Ilyas called out to the Auditor General's Office and other investigative authorities to probe the allegations.
Hulhumale' MP Ali Niyaz defended Fenaka Corporation, and said the company was facing financial losses due to pending bill payments.
He also pointed out the increment in the company's expenditure due to the introduction of minimum wage.
Parliament's majority leader and North-Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam said the audit report showed Fenaka Corporation's debt stood at MVR 1.183 billion when the current government assumed power.
Aslam questioned how the outstanding debt increased to MVR 2.8 billion.
"When we talk about Fenaka Corporation's debt, we omit talking about the assets it increased. The company has improved the state revenue significantly compared to its debt," Aslam said, who pointed out to the generator cable networks installed by the utility provider.
Nilandhoo MP Abdul Muhusin Hameed (MDP) said that majority of employment opportunities provided by the corporation belonged to its outlets in the atolls.
"I salute to Saeed [Fenaka Corporation's Managing Director] for this, since he enhanced such opportunities in the atolls," Hameed said, while condemning the allegations placed exclusively on the top management of the corporation.
Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef (MDP) said it was impossible for to have committed acts of corruption without the involvement of suppliers and third-party contractors.
"We need to audit why the suppliers continued to supply when they are owed MVR 2.8 billion," Shareef said.
Shareef also urged to probe if the suppliers quoted their bills for the products or services at the right price, and called to take action against any culpable vendors.