Investigator Shortage Poses Challenge for NIC

The National Integrity Commission (NIC) has expressed concern over the shortage of investigators at the commission. Speaking at the Independent Institutions Committee, NIC Vice President Fathimath Shareef said there are currently nine investigators. She noted that at the beginning of this year, there were even fewer investigators than that. Fathimath Shareef noted that due to the shortage of investigators, cases are delayed and the number of unexamined cases is increasing. She said they are working to clear the backlog with special priority. "That is a very big challenge. It is a difficulty for us to proceed with cases at the speed we want," said NIC Vice President Fathimath Shareef. Over the past two years, many cases have been submitted to the commission. The commission notes that one reason is increased public awareness about submitting cases. NIC is working to expand the commission's work and raise public awareness of its work. According to the commission, of the cases it has started looking into on its own initiative, 87% relate to the police. 10% relate to correctional services, and 1% of cases relate to immigration.