Over 1,000 budgeted projects from last year stalled, 100 unbudgeted projects carried out: Auditor General

Amid mounting criticism over mismanagement within President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration, the Auditor General’s latest report underscores that the state budget approved by the People’s Majlis has effectively become a disregarded document.

The report reveals that 1,311 projects budgeted for the past year saw no progress at all, despite an allocation of MVR 3.2 billion. In contrast, the ministry proceeded with 100 projects that were never included in the parliament-approved budget, spending MVR 1.1 billion on initiatives that had no legislative approval.

The findings further show that while these 100 unapproved projects were launched, 480 other projects exceeded their allocated budgets. The Ministry of Finance and Planning overspent by MVR 4.7 billion on these projects.

By 31 December 2024, total spending on the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) had reached MVR 11.9 billion, even though the approved budget for the PSIP was MVR 8.9 billion. As outlined in the “Budget Position Report - 2024,” this amounted to spending nine percent above the combined allocations of the approved annual budget and the supplementary budget.

A financial expert noted that exceeding approved spending amounts to operating without available funds, a situation that halts payments, leaves contractors waiting, and increases the volume of unpaid dues.

The Auditor General’s assessment concludes that the government fails to properly determine project costs and does not establish adequate implementation timelines. The report advises the government to address these persistent shortcomings.