The Auditor General’s Office (AGO) has revealed that the previous government illegally hired many employees for Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in 2018.
The audit report on the HDC's activities from 2017 to 2018 published by the AGO audit report of HDC highlighted a number of issues. These include the sudden recruitment of employees by the government under former President Abdulla Yameen without a public announcement as the 2018 presidential election approaches.
According to the report, a total of 131 employees were hired in violation of the rules approved by the company's board. The employees' handbook states that background checks should be conducted before employment, but no such procedure was followed by HDC. A total of 81 people did not submit their job application forms and titles, 131 people did not submit their police reports and 116 people did not submit their educational certificates. In addition, the interview process was not conducted in a rigorous manner, according to the report.
Furthermore, the report revealed a case of misuse of the company’s staff and resources. Among them, the existing Mohamed Qasim Preschool in Hulhumale' has been handed over to others since 2018. Individuals unrelated to HDC have taken facilities from the company to use at a social event held there. In addition, the company conducted a survey in Hulhumale' in 2018 named the community survey. The report reveals that HDC spent more than USD6,500 on the survey.
The report also highlighted many issues related to the land allocated for the construction of a water park in Hulhumale'. The land clearance work was awarded to two companies in violation of the procurement rules, according to the report. In addition, the company did not look into the planning and execution of the work. The report also noted that the company had been paid an additional USD400,000 to extend the deadline.