The government has appointed State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) Managing Director Dr Ali Azwar to oversee Fenaka Corporation, as preparations continue to dissolve the state-owned utility company and transfer its operations to STELCO.
The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) announced that Azwar has been appointed as Fenaka’s Executive Director and Acting Managing Director, placing him in charge of both utility companies during the ongoing transition.
The appointment follows the dismissal of Fenaka’s former Managing Director, Mohamed Afeef Hussain, who was removed from his position and the company’s Board of Directors.
The PCB also confirmed the appointment of Ibrahim Nizaam to Fenaka’s Board of Directors as part of the latest changes to the corporation’s leadership.
Azwar’s appointment comes at a significant stage in the government’s efforts to consolidate utility services under STELCO, which is gradually assuming responsibility for electricity and other essential services previously managed by Fenaka across the atolls.
The decision places the management of both companies under the same leadership while the government works towards winding down Fenaka’s operations.
Fenaka has historically been responsible for providing electricity, water and sewerage services across a large number of inhabited islands, particularly outside the Greater Malé Region.
Established to expand and manage essential utility services in the atolls, the corporation has played an important role in maintaining infrastructure and delivering basic services to island communities.
However, the government has decided to restructure the sector by transferring Fenaka’s responsibilities to STELCO, bringing utility operations under a more consolidated management structure.
As part of the transition, STELCO has begun taking over services in islands previously operated by Fenaka, with assessments being conducted to evaluate existing infrastructure, operational requirements and service arrangements.
The assessments are intended to support the transfer of responsibilities and allow STELCO to assume management of utility operations in the affected islands.
The handover process is taking place in stages, with STELCO formally assuming control of operations as the necessary arrangements are completed.
The restructuring represents a major expansion of STELCO’s responsibilities beyond its traditional operational areas.
STELCO has long been responsible for electricity generation and distribution in the Greater Malé Region and several other islands, while Fenaka has managed utility services across much of the remaining atolls.
Bringing the two companies under the same management during the transition is expected to facilitate coordination as operational responsibilities, infrastructure and administrative functions are transferred.
The latest leadership changes also follow a brief tenure for Afeef, who was appointed Fenaka’s Managing Director on April 27, 2026.
His removal came less than six months after taking office, at a time when the corporation was already preparing for the transfer of its operations.
Although the PCB confirmed Afeef’s dismissal, it has not publicly disclosed a specific reason for the decision.
With Azwar now serving as Acting Managing Director, Fenaka’s remaining operations will be overseen by the same executive responsible for STELCO’s expanding utility network.
The government’s wider plan is to complete the transfer of Fenaka’s responsibilities before proceeding with the corporation’s dissolution.
The transition remains ongoing, with island-level assessments and operational handovers continuing as STELCO prepares to take responsibility for the remaining service areas.
