MP Shamheed demands audit of MIFCO’s Ensis cannery purchase

Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, a Member of Parliament representing the opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) for the Hulhumale' South Constituency, has requested a comprehensive audit of the Ensis cannery located in Hulhumale' . This request is a direct response to allegations made by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who asserts that the state-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) is slated to acquire the cannery through a fraudulent agreement.

Ensis's USD 25 million cannery, opened in 2009, halted production for 18 months in 2023 after MIFCO raised fish purchase prices. On August 9, MIFCO announced acquisition discussions for the facility.

During the Monday debate on the Public Accounts Committee's report regarding the audit of MVR 28.3 million in lost diesel, sold by Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) to Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), MP Shamheed stressed the importance of seriously considering Yameen's allegations.

Shamheed, who is also a member of the Public Accounts Committee, said the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament should also look into such transactions.

“I call for an independent evaluation to be conducted first of all if such transactions are conducted,” Shamheed said.

He said it should also be determined whether the cannery is essential to the state.

According to the company, MIFCO faces significant delays in repairing and maintaining its marine fishing vessels, infrastructure, machinery, and other equipment, making these basic repairs and modifications a top priority. Both the state and MIFCO are also focused on increasing the country's capacity to add value to purchased fish by enhancing fish procurement and storage capabilities.

Yameen criticized the move, stating that Ensis was a property the private sector could not afford at USD 10 million. He questioned MIFCO's ability to acquire it, highlighting the company's own financial struggles and significant debt.

He explicitly implicated Minister Zameer in the alleged scheme.

"Moosa Zameer is behind this. He used to be very close to Ensis, and is very close now also. We are now hearing from people very close to Moosa Zameer, including senior officials in finance. After the deal is completed, Moosa Zameer will leave for Dubai. He doesn't want to be here anymore," stated former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The Ensis cannery, which had a daily processing capacity of 25 tonnes of fish, was constructed with funds from the German Development Bank. Although fish processing at the cannery is currently suspended, Ensis continues to export fish.