President’s Office spending goes MVR 7M beyond budget

The spending by President’s Office has gone beyond the approved budget allocation by over MVR 7 million, according to information released by the Finance Ministry.

The latest weekly fiscal developments report released by the Finance Ministry shows the President’s Office had spent MVR 213.9 million as of December 11. However, the total budget allocation for the President’s Office for this year is MVR 206.8 million.

This shows the office has spent beyond its budget by MVR 7.1 million.

While the spending is beyond the budget allocation, it is lower than the spending during the same period last year, when the President’s Office spent MVR 222 million.

The President’s Office employs a large number of staff, and also spends heavily on trips. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has been increasing the frequency of his travels to the atolls and has also been holding community meetings in Male’ as the Local Council Elections nears.