The “2024 Compliance Audit Report of the Haa Dhaalu Atoll Council” states that several trips conducted by the council under the guise of gaining experience had unclear objectives and were carried out in violation of government instructions to reduce state expenditure.
The audit highlighted that these trips were undertaken despite a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance aimed at increasing expenditure efficiency in the implementation of the 2024 budget, which instructed that no travel should be conducted unless absolutely necessary.
According to the audit report, 12 council officials undertook an 8-day trip to Addu City and Fuvahmulah City for “experience gathering.” This trip cost 186,584 Rufiyaa from the council budget. Additionally, an 8-day study tour by 12 council employees to various islands in Faafu Atoll and Dhaalu Atoll cost 172,138 Rufiyaa. The report indicates that a total of 358,722 Rufiyaa was spent on such trips in 2024.
Auditors noted that no plans were formulated prior to these trips regarding the intended goals or how the acquired experience would be utilized. Consequently, the report stated that the purpose of the travel remains unclear. Furthermore, while the trip reports claimed meetings were held with several island councils, the audit report noted a lack of any evidence to verify these claims.
In response to these issues, the audit report provided several recommendations for improvement. These include adhering to the State Finance Regulations and the President’s decisions regarding cost-cutting measures. It also advised conducting a ‘needs assessment’ to identify required training for councils and recommended that training be conducted through established systems via the Local Government Authority (LGA).
Additionally, the audit report stated that council administrations must maintain advance details regarding the purpose and intended outcomes of trips, and there must be written documentation showing how the results achieved from such travel are implemented within the office environment.
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