The Local Government Authority (LGA) has suspended Thinadhoo City’s Mayor Saud Ali for three months and Deputy Mayor Nasrullah Ali for one month, following an inquiry into multiple complaints regarding the council. Disciplinary actions have also been taken against other members of the council.
The LGA made the decision following an inquiry into the complaints submitted to the authority regarding the Council, alleging that the Council was failing in its duties, misusing power and council resources, and violating the code of conduct for councillors. LGA’s monitoring had also identified issues and the inquiry examined 19 such cases, the authority said. The LGA took statements from council members and council office employees and examined documents as part of the inquiry.
Key issues uncovered in the inquiry includes the Council’s failure to respond to official letters sent by state agencies, charging aunauthorised fees, such as a fee of USD 324 for applying for transfer of citizenship to another island, ignoring LGA's order not to charge the said fee, not sharing information requested by Atoll Council and other government agencies, and failing to comply with Atoll Council’s instructions. The LGA also noted that the Council’s bid committee and bid evaluation committee were being paid allowances without the approval of the Ministry of Finance, and the Council was not cooperating with the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation. The Council's official social media accounts were also posting posts that undermined the decentralisation system.
The LGA also noted that the 200 housing units to be built in Thinadhoo under the government's housing policy had been opened for application without consultation with the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure. LGA said the Council ignored the Ministry’s instructions not to proceed with the applications, and further noted that Mayor Saud had refused to meet with concerned flat recipients as their flats did not have water connection.
LGA further noted that the funds for a local monument project announced by the council were deposited into a sole proprietor business account registered under Mayor Saud Ali’s name. It further noted that while Thinadhoo had been given status, a City Council had not been formed, but the Council’s President and members claimed city-level salaries and allowances.
In addition, the inquiry looked into the recruitment of employees in violation of the Civil Service Act and regulations, and without the announcement of wage policies. The inquiry also examined the issue of improper procurement practices such as the council splitting procurements in violation of the Public Finance Act and regulations, the procurement of a speedboat in such a way that it benefitted a particular party, and pressuring the council's administrative employees into unethical actions.
The LGA said the inquiry found evidence of inadequate performance of responsibilities and duties, negligence in the performance of duties, misuse of council powers and resources and violation of the Code of Conduct for councillors. Some of these actions have been repeated, LGA said, adding that the authority’s board has therefore decided to take action against the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councilors of Thinadhoo City.
As a result, the LGA board has temporarily suspended Thinadhoo City Council Mayor Saud Ali from his post for three months without salary and allowances for violating the Decentralisation Act. The board also decided to temporarily suspend Deputy Mayor Nasrullah Ali from his post for one month without salary and allowances.
In addition, council members Ahmed Waheed, Aminath Naseema, Ahmeema Ahmed and Thinadhoo City Women's Development Committee President Jeeza Hassan have been advised to repay the overpaid salary amounts within two months. The board also advised Councilor Mohamed Zaleef Abdullah to repay the excess salary and settle a court-ordered debt within the same timeframe. If found that he no longer meets the eligibility criteria for his role, legal procedures must follow.
The Board has also decided to implement the recommendations in the report on the individual findings raised in the LGA inquiry. It also plans to investigate the conduct of the Council’s Secretary General and administrative staff, and refer the matter to the relevant state agencies for action in the case of negligence.