MVR 8bn owed to companies withheld, MIRA operations being obstructed: Mayor Azim

Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has stated that the government of Maldives is withholding MVR eight billion owed to several public companies and is obstructing the operations of Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Speaking on RaajjeTV's ‘TV Talk’ programme, Mayor Azim said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government's mindset is to wastefully spend whatever income is received, and it is not a government that spends on anything purposefully. He added that they don't even consider the income and are taking loans without consideration.

Highlighting that the former administration of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had introduced many services and implemented projects that would permanently benefit all Maldivian citizens, Mayor Azim said the current government is working against that principle. He stated that this is not a government that works with consideration for the future benefit of the citizens, and that this is evident throughout the country.

Further, Mayor Azim said that the MVR eight billion that the government owes to various public companies has still not been released and is being withheld. He added that companies have reached a point where they cannot operate.

Mayor Azim said that the officials of the current administration have no development mindset, and that they do nothing but waste public funds. He also said that they are exerting influence on MIRA and obstructing its operations.

Mayor Azim stated that Maldivian citizens do not trust the current administration.

He said that Muizzu's own statements have revealed that the officials he has appointed do not obey his instructions. He noted that Muizzu himself had stated in a press conference that when he requests certain information, those officials do not share that information.