FSM installs CCTV on barges amid fuel theft concerns

Fuel Supply Maldives (FSM) has begun installing CCTV cameras on its barges following reports of fuel theft.

The Parliament’s Finance Committee raised concerns on Wednesday about the theft of oil from FSM barges. FSM officials were summoned to the committee for questioning.

FSM Managing Director Fathimath Ashan said the company had identified increasing cases of fuel theft involving some of its vehicles. He confirmed that all crew members of two barges had recently been dismissed in relation to such incidents.

Last year, more than 40 FSM employees were dismissed for alleged involvement in fuel theft and related money laundering activities. Police have said they are investigating the matter, as unusually large sums have appeared in the accounts of some FSM employees.

Ashan said the company has installed CCTV cameras on a number of barges as part of a pilot project, with plans to equip all barges soon. The initiative includes installing modems that allow live monitoring of onboard activities.

“Two vessels have already been fitted with modems, and three more barges are currently undergoing installation. Five additional barges will be docked for the same process,” Ashan said.

He added that once the system is fully operational, FSM will have access to a month’s worth of recorded footage and real-time monitoring capabilities.

FSM will also rotate barge employees every three months to reduce the likelihood of collusion and repeat offences.

Committee members noted that fuel is sometimes sold directly from vehicles or through meters, with some employees allegedly involved in unauthorised transactions with customers.

Ashan said theft had worsened due to the lack of timely action in the past. He assured the committee that the company would now closely monitor vehicle movements and fuel usage. FSM has also requested its client companies to rotate their employees to prevent cooperation in such activities.