Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has expressed concerns regarding the previous government's pledges to foster equitable development across all regions of the country, regardless of island size. He made the remarks while speaking at a gathering with the residents of Nolhivaranfaru during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's visit to Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
Speaking at the gathering, Minister Shiyam criticised the previous administration for accumulating state debt instead of advancing national development as pledged. Despite assurances of unbiased development between small and large islands, he noted widespread challenges faced by citizens due to unmet needs.
Additionally, Minister Shiyam scrutinised the allocation of funds, revealing a USD11 million budget over the last five years, yet questioned the benefits for the populace. He emphasised that significant portions of the budget remained unutilised for developmental purposes, resulting in outstanding payments to fishermen and other entities, ultimately contributing to a USD8 million state debt.
Advocating for collaborative efforts between Parliament and the government, Minister Shiyam stressed the importance of electing capable representatives to ensure legislative initiatives truly serve the interests of the citizens.