Democrats pledges to recover unpaid bills with fines

Businesses have gone bankrupt because the government or state-owned companies have not paid their bills, and a Democrats government will recover the money for those bills along with fines, The Democrats’ presidential candidate Ilyas Labeeb said on Friday.

Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas, who is on a trip to Huvadhoo atoll to seek support for the September 9 presidential election, spoke to people in G.Dh. Gaddhoo on Friday evening.

Speaking at the rally, Ilyas voiced the concerns expressed by many private businesses over the alleged non-payment of money by the government company, Fenaka Corporation.

Without naming Fenaka, Ilyas said that the government or a government company has done a lot of work under an agreement through many businesses in Huvadhoo atoll and elsewhere Maldives.

The businesses have asked for pyament in accordance with the agreements but the bills have not been paid, he said.

"The contract is made under a fitting format agreement. The bill is submitted, but it is not paid," he said.

Ilyas said many businesses have gone bankrupt and some have had to cut staff due to the State or State-owned Enterprises not paying the money.

Ilyas assured that a Democrats government would ensure the rights of such businesses.

“In our government, in a Democrats government, if you give a bill to a government company and you don't get paid by the date in the agreement, then you will get the money with a penalty”.

Ilyas also shared the difficulties faced by such businesses due to lack of access to the money. As such, he said:

Ilyas made the remarks after 19 businesses held a press conference on Thursday over the alleged non-payment of more than MVR 200 million by the Fenaka Corporation Limited.

The businesses say the company is deliberately withholding the money.

Fenaka has not yet commented on the matter.