After the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) fined the State Electric Company (STELCO), the electricity provider has said that they are not liable for the responsibilities of the state ministries.

EPA fined STELCO with MVR 5000 on Sunday after the company failed to being providing the sewerage system management service in Kaafu Atoll Hinmafushi and Thulusdhoo. STELCO was given the license for the service in December 2019.

In a statement issued yesterday following the fine, STELCO said that they are not liable for delays when the cause of the delays is the Environment Ministry.

And if there were any objection to the sewerage work in Hinmafushi and Thulusdhoo, STELCO has informed of the challenges to the Ministry in writing. In their statement, STELCO said that the sewerage system on the two islands are incomplete and the challenges to the service due to that were officially brought to the attention of the Ministry.

STELCO said that they applied for the operating license after the ministry assured that project will be completed. However, with the delays in the projects, STELCO raised concerns with the ministries and most recently raised the issue with the Ministry of Planning.

The electric company said that the EPA fined them on the day the company took over and is saddened by the decision.

STELCO said that they were fined in a case where negligence lies with the Environment Ministry. And the fine was made in such a way that would distort the company’s perception from the public and without proper inspection by the EPA.

The company said that they would not step back when it comes to serving the public.