Mohamed Afeef Hussain has been removed from his position as Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation, as the government moves ahead with plans to transfer the utility company’s operations to State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) and eventually wind down the corporation.
The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB), which oversees state-owned enterprises, confirmed Afeef’s dismissal, stating that he had also been removed from Fenaka’s Board of Directors.
The decision brings an end to Afeef’s tenure less than six months after he was appointed Managing Director on April 27, 2026.
Afeef, a long-serving public official with extensive experience in government service, had taken charge of Fenaka during a period of significant changes to the country’s utility sector.
His removal comes as the government proceeds with a major restructuring of electricity, water and sewerage service management across the atolls.
Under the restructuring plan, Fenaka’s operational responsibilities are being transferred to STELCO, with the government intending to discontinue Fenaka’s operations once the transition is completed.
Fenaka has historically been responsible for providing essential utility services across a large number of inhabited islands outside the Greater Malé Region.
Its operations have included electricity generation and distribution, alongside water supply and sewerage services in islands where such infrastructure is available.
The corporation has played a central role in maintaining essential services in geographically dispersed communities, where utility operations involve considerable logistical and operational challenges.
However, the government’s decision to consolidate utility services under STELCO represents a major change to the structure through which these services are delivered.
As part of the transition, responsibility for essential utility services in many northern and southern islands previously served by Fenaka has already been handed over to STELCO.
Arrangements are continuing for the transfer of operations in the remaining islands, with the government seeking to complete the process before winding down Fenaka.
The transition involves transferring responsibility for services that residents and businesses depend on daily, making continuity of electricity, water and sewerage operations an important consideration during the restructuring.
STELCO, which has traditionally operated electricity services in the Greater Malé Region and other designated areas, is consequently taking on a substantially expanded role in utility management across the country.
The government has presented the consolidation of utility operations as part of its wider restructuring of state-owned enterprises.
Afeef’s dismissal marks another development in the process of dismantling Fenaka’s existing management and operational structure.
The PCB has not disclosed a specific reason for his removal beyond confirming the decision.
It also remains unclear whether a replacement Managing Director will be appointed during the remaining transition period or whether Fenaka’s affairs will be overseen through alternative management arrangements until the corporation is wound down.
