It has been revealed that Mohamed Thohir, Assistant Manager at the Fenaka office in Neykurendhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll has been receiving a salary for more than 14 months without performing any actual work.

Ali Zahir, the current Deputy Manager overseeing the Neykurendhoo Fenaka office, confirmed this information in response to a query from RaajjeMV. Zahir explained that due to limited space in the Neykurendhoo office, all three managers currently share a single computer system. He speculated that the cramped conditions might be why Assistant Manager Thohir has not been coming to work.

The issue was reportedly brought to the attention of Fenaka’s head office several months ago. However, the only measures taken were to request a statement from Thohir and issue a written warning. According to Zahir, Thohir refused to sign the statement. Despite more than three months passing since the warning was issued, no further action or instructions have been communicated by the head office.

Information obtained by RaajjeMV also reveals that Thohir, who runs his own business in the island, signs in at the office daily but spends his time attending to personal matters instead of official duties.

This revelation comes amid government claims of implementing strict measures to reduce expenses in response to the country’s severe debt crisis, as advised by international financial institutions. Yet, reports suggest that bankrupt Fenaka continues to employ individuals whose roles exacerbate the company’s losses, a situation coinciding with President Muizzu’s recent visit to the island.

Further, two political directors were appointed to the health center and island council of Neykurendhoo, a community of just around 600 residents, coinciding with the president’s trip. These appointments bring the total number of political appointees in these local institutions to six. Meanwhile, more than 30 people are employed at the Neykurendhoo Fenaka office alone.

Opposition parties argue that while the country’s economic situation worsens daily, government extravagance and mismanagement continue to escalate unchecked.