Gov’t working to pay fishermen’s dues before Ramadan

The administration is currently working to reimburse fishermen before the fasting month of Ramadan, says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

He said this while speaking to residents of Dhuvaafaru island of Baa atoll as part of his ongoing brief tour of islands in Baa and Raa atolls.

Taking the podium at the meeting with Dhuvaafaru residents, the president highlighted that the government has prioritized the expansion and progress of the fisheries industry and that the administration is working to settle all outstanding payments owed to fishermen before the fasting month of Ramadan commences.

Subject to the sighting of the moon, Ramadan is expected to commence on March 10 this year.

Expressing commitment to implement a mechanism to disburse payments owed to fishermen within 48 hours once the backlog has been cleared, the president shed light on his administration’s efforts to broaden the tax base.

Some of these efforts include completing resort infrastructure and increasing investments in the tourism sector.

Further, Muizzu stated that tax base would increase with the expansion of Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) as the tourism sector grows.

Speaking to Dhuvaafaru residents, the president expressed commitment to address the people’s needs and committed to waive fees on popular tricycle pickup trucks starting April.

This will be done with an aim to pave a convenient path for residents using such vehicles, as well as in  a bid to encourage environmentally friendly options.

Dhuvaafaru was the fourth destination of the president’s ongoing tour of several islands in Raa and Baa atolls.

Back in February, the president pledged to find a solution to pay fishermen’s dues, even if it is by taking a loan from the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd. (MIFCO), while speaking at a series titled ‘Raees ge Javaabu’ which translates as ‘the president’s answers’.

The president noted that a total of MVR 250 million remained pending as fishermen’s dues, when he took office on 17 November 2023.

Highlighting that the incumbent administration has paid about MVR 200 million in dues since assuming office, President Muizzu stressed that a large sum remains unpaid.

He stated that efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the fisher community receives instant access to the amount they are due for their catches. Muizzu also noted that the required arrangements for this to happen would be made soon.