President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday night urged the public to allow the government to successfully implement its economic agenda, saying that tough decisions were needed to rescue the ailing economy.
Speaking in Addu Maradhoo-Feydhoo, President Muizzu said the economy was in a deep pit due to the actions of the previous government and appealed for trust in his administration’s efforts to improve the state of the economy.
“If our economy is to overcome the present condition, very difficult steps need to be taken. I made those pledges in the campaign. It’s not something I said suddenly,” the President said. “The most important pledge, the one that proved most difficult, was stopping the printing of money.”
Development will continue without delays alongside efforts to improve the economy, the President said.
“What I ask from the public is to trust this effort. To trust and allow this to go ahead. Development will go ahead. We won’t delay in bringing development,” he said.
Referring to fishermen protesting in Kooddoo over non-payment, the President said the current government has paid the largest amount to fishermen in the shortest period.
“We would be the ones who paid the most money to fishermen as well in the shortest period. There was MVR 200 or so million to be paid when we took over. That money has been paid and there would be money that needs to be paid as more fish is caught. We have paid a total of MVR 442 million in three months,” the President said.
“I am trying, as I said, to give that money as well very soon. There is about MVR 30 million I think that has to be paid to fishermen from these two islands even now.”
The President left Male’ yesterday on a trip to Addu, Fuvahmulah and some islands in Huvadhoo.
