We must investigate how President Muizzu's administration depleted MVR 170 billion: Nazil

The leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) parliamentary group, Ibrahim Nazil, has stated that details regarding the expenditure of the 170 billion Rufiyaa budget approved for the first three years of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration must be scrutinized to ensure government accountability.

Nazil made these remarks while speaking at the 35th meeting of the MDP National Congress' fourth session, held on Monday night.

Nazil noted that as this administration approaches its third year, Parliament has approved budgets totaling 170 billion rufiyaa. However, he highlighted that the government has failed to fulfill its legal obligations to the citizens, emphasizing that it is essential to investigate how these funds were exhausted. He further stated that being required to pass the budget without comprehensive details remains a persistent concern. Nazil added that the lack of such transparency poses significant challenges for Parliament in its efforts to hold the government accountable.

Over the past three years, this administration has been granted a total budget of 170 billion Rufiyaa. The resolution highlights the government's failure to fulfill its legal obligations to the citizens. Through this resolution, we must also uncover how that 170 billion Rufiyaa was exhausted. We have consistently questioned why the budgets passed by Parliament lack sufficient detail. Seeking answers within the Majlis has become significantly difficult because of this lack of budgetary transparency.

Ibrahim Nazil, Leader of the MDP Parliamentary Group

Emphasizing the importance of providing the public with comprehensive budget details while holding the government accountable, Nazil stated that efforts must be made within Parliament to obtain this information. He noted that this is a necessary step for the benefit of all Maldivian citizens, adding that access to these details would further strengthen efforts to ensure government transparency. Nazil also pointed out that without the budget breakdown, it remains unclear which specific budget codes are being utilized for essential island projects, such as sewerage systems.

We must ask what the government is doing and how the budget is being depleted. These questions remain unanswered within Parliament because the specific details of the budget have not been disclosed. For instance, we do not know which budget code or allocation is being used for the sewerage project in a specific island of Shaviyani Atoll. We must strive to obtain these details. If we can secure access to such information through our efforts, it will significantly enhance our ability to hold the government accountable.

Ibrahim Nazil, Leader of the MDP Parliamentary Group

Highlighting the development projects in Addu City, Nazil stated that many initiatives launched by the previous administration have now come to a standstill. He specifically noted that despite a high-profile signing ceremony held to resolve the electricity issues in Addu’s connected islands, the public remains in the dark regarding any further details of the project. Furthermore, he pointed out that residents continue to experience power outages lasting three to four hours at a time, with no clear solution in sight to address the ongoing crisis.

Specifically regarding the various projects initiated across Addu City, including the power service agreement signed recently—which was launched with great fanfare to address the electricity issues in the connected islands of Addu—no details have been shared with the public to date. Even now, residents continue to face power outages lasting three to four hours at a time. There has been no resolution to this issue, nor is there any sign of a solution in sight.

Ibrahim Nazil, Leader of the MDP Parliamentary Group

Furthermore, Nazil stated that when ministers are questioned regarding projects, they often react with hostility and confront members instead of providing answers. He also alleged that in such situations, rather than restraining the ministers, the parliamentary chair obstructs members from fulfilling their duties. Nazil emphasized that as MVR 170 billion is being exhausted, the public has a right to know exactly what has been achieved with those funds.