Tradenet faces Parliament inquiry as institutions fail to join ‘oneGov’

A lawmaker from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is seeking to summon senior officials from the Tradenet Maldives for questioning regarding the failure of many government institutions to join ‘oneGov’ –launched as a one-stop portal for all government rendered services.

Tradenet was established in 2019 by then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to operate the national single window initiative – an initiative to digitalize all government services. The ‘oneGov’ platform – developed by Tradenet for the purpose – was launched four years later in 2023.

But in a letter addressed to Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla on Monday, North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) said that only 14 government institutions had joined ‘oneGov’ by the end of 2024.

He noted that multiple institutions that provide essential public services have failed to join the platform.

Of the 21 government ministries, only six have joined ‘oneGov’; Housing Ministry, Homeland Security Ministry, Tourism Ministry, Economic Ministry, Education Ministry, and Defense Ministry.

The other institutions that joined the platform are; Health Protection Agency (HPA), Maldives Food and Drug Authority, Maldives Zakat House, Environmental Protection Agency, Utility Regulatory Authority, Fuvahmulah City Council, and Maldives Media Council.

In his letter, Kudu expressed concern over lack of sufficient effort by Tradenet to have all government institutions join ‘oneGov’, especially given the huge spending on the company.

He also expressed concern that many institutions are spending on and developing their own digital platforms despite the existence of ‘oneGov.’

He said that it was a wastage of taxpayer money, and could lead to corruption and affect speed and efficiency.

“Individual state institutions doing this despite the establishment of a company designated for digitalization efforts and the fact that it’s equipped with necessary technical resources and funding, is something that precludes the state from a benefit were it clearly exists,” he said.

Kudu said that it is important identify the reasons why institutions haven’t joined ‘oneGov’, and possible challenges to doing so.

He asked the State-owned Enterprises Committee to summon senior officials at Tradenet for questioning over the issue.