Zameer says public won't bear rising fuel import costs

Moosa Zameer said on Tuesday that the government would not pass the burden of rising fuel import costs onto the public despite increased expenditure linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking during a press conference held by the Special Ministerial Committee established by President Mohamed Muizzu, Zameer said the government’s priority was to maintain public services and utility prices without increasing costs for consumers.

Earlier in the day, Ahmed Ali, Director General at the Ministry of Environment, stated during a briefing at the President's Office that fuel import costs had increased by 110 per cent due to the conflict in the Middle East.

According to figures released during the briefing:

Journalists asked whether the increase in fuel costs would result in higher electricity tariffs.

Responding to the question, Zameer said fuel imports had risen by approximately 18 per cent compared to the previous year and noted that the government had taken measures to address possible shortages following the outbreak of the conflict.

“The result is that no citizen has faced any disruption due to a lack of fuel. Our priority remains providing services at the most reasonable rates possible,” Zameer said.

He added that the government’s policy was to minimise the impact of fuel price increases on the public and confirmed that electricity tariffs would remain unchanged.

“The rise in fuel prices is beyond our domestic control; it is dictated by international market rates during import,” he said.

“Therefore, our efforts are focused on two fronts: first, seeking ways to source fuel at more affordable prices, and second, managing our expenditures and making necessary adjustments to ensure that utility prices remain stable without causing difficulties to the daily lives of our citizens.”