Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Ahmed Nazim has underscored the crucial importance of reviewing the price of fish products, stressing that the expeditious payments can be made to fishermen, if fish is sold at a reasonable price. The statement was made by the deputy speaker to address the issue of the pending payments to the fishermen. The issue was brought to light by Parliamentarian Ahmed Didi, who called the government to find a potential solution to the protest by fishermen over the pending payments by Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO).
During the discussion, Deputy Speaker Nazim said that MIFCO currently sells fish at unprofitable rates, noting that MIFCO can only purchase fish from fishermen at a reasonable price. Nazim revealed that this was the situation the state was when the current administration took over, adding that majority of the sums have been paid to fishermen. He urged all individuals to understand the situation of the economy.
Speaking on the issue, Parliamentarian Ahmed Saleem highlighted that the no government has managed to find a sustainable solution to the challenges faced by fishermen, to this date. Saleem stated that the current administration is working diligently to bring a change, and resolve the issue. Stressing that the previous administration did not make the necessary payments to the fishermen despite printing money, he disclosed that the current administration has made the majority of the payments without printing money. Saleem expressed confidence that the commitments made by the government to the fishermen will be fulfilled by the end of the tenure.
The issue was proposed to the parliament, urging the government to find a sustainable solution to the problem and to ensure that the payments were fully completed within 48 hours, as pledged.