Fuvahmulah Mayor: Three-wheeled pickup purchase at MVR 200,000 to be investigated

Fuvahmulah City Mayor Ismail Rafeeg says an investigation will be conducted into the purchase of a three-wheeled pickup, locally known as ‘Rashu Pickup’, for Fuvahmulah City Council’s use, at the price of over MVR 200,000.

The Auditor General’s Office has publicized Fuvahmulah City Council’s audit report for the year 2022.

The most concerning issue underscored in the audit report is an agreement executed between Fuvahmulah City Council and Coral Holdings Private Limited. MVR 227,900 was spent under the agreement executed on June 16, 2022, to purchase a three-wheeled pickup.

Speaking to Sun regarding the matter, Rafeeg said the issue came to his attention following the publication of the audit report.

He further detailed that the three-wheeled pickup received by the Council had not corresponded to the specifications requested by the Council.

“What I can comment at the moment is that the case will be investigated, and if action is needed, it will be taken. Administrative discussions are presently being held in this trajectory. However, no action has been taken so far,” he said.

The audit report details that the information sheet lacked valid information to acquire the vehicle, including mandatory documents. They cited accepting the bid without a complete information sheet as another issue.

The report further states that the supplied vehicle did not correspond to the specifications requested by the council.

As per the report, an MVR 194,000 was incurred by the Council as a battery pickup had been supplied in place of a three-wheeled pickup.

Audit reports have previously uncovered similar issues concerning the expenditure of various local councils. However, no adequate action has been taken with respect to them.