President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has underlined the provision of basic services to citizens, regardless of how small, big or isolated an island is, remains a responsibility of the government.
During the Presidential Debate 2018, noting that he does not believe the income generated from an island would be enough to fulfil its developmental needs, President Abdulla Yameen said, for that reason, islands need to borrow funds, adding otherwise development envisioned and crucial for that particular island will be delayed causing several difficulties. In this regard, slamming the opposition coalition’s concept on decentralisation, President Yameen affirmed such a system in Maldives is not convenient for many reasons, noting Maldives has adapted to a unitary system. A decentralised system of governance can be ideally implemented only coupled with necessary maturity from all, according to the president.
Answering a question posed by the mediator asking why President Yameen prefers housing for the citizens in the greater Male’ region, he revealed housing projects are conducted to seek solutions for the pressing housing issues, with an objective of providing a choice for people to choose to live in the greater Male' region with better facilities. The only economic solution for the demand for housing in the greater Male’ region is swelling the supply, the president noted.
Furthermore, shedding light on the success of the economic agenda of the current administration, President Yameen expressed the debts inherited on assuming office have been managed successfully which shows the abilities of the economic package. The president underscored while foreign investors are conducting massive projects, due to the belief their investments will be secure, safe and profitable, the trust of foreign investors directed to the country prove the country’s ability to repay loans. Revealing to complement the faith of foreign investors have for Maldives, the judiciary must be improved, President Yameen said the government will leverage debts and loans would be concessional. He further said national harmony and peace is the biggest insurance for foreign investment.
Moreover, responding to accusations alleging excessive spending, during the presidential debate, the president reiterated the annual revenue of the state, from taxation alone, is estimated to increase from USD 1.3 billion to USD 5.3 billion by 2023.
When asked what the incumbent president has to offer to the country in a second term in office, President Yameen expressed he is moving towards implementing an economic transformation package. The president said the GDP of Maldives has been doubled to almost USD 10,000, assuring if given a second term in office the figure would be increased to USD 20,000.
Saying it is surprising people comment the living standards of Maldives are deteriorating, President Yameen cited the facts stating although unemployment rate stood at 11% in 2010, the figure now stands at less than 5%. The president added the people who were side-lined before have now been offered jobs and are employed. Furthermore, he compared the labour force in 2010 stood at 111,000, the rate has been increased remarkably in 2015 to 153,000.
The presidential debate was only attended by the ruling party candidate, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, while the opposition coalition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih failed to attend the debate despite accepting the invitation. The debate was organised by Maldives National University (MNU).