Muizz pledges to sell cheaper fuel in 1 island in each atoll

State Trading Organisation (STO) will provide basic rate fuel in at least one island in each atoll in his government, said PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz on Tuesday. 

He made the announcement while speaking at a party camp rally in fisheries-dominated Maradhoo in Addu atoll Tuesday morning. Muizz was in Maradhoo, Addu on Monday as part of his campaign for the presidential election to be held on September 9.

"The private sector has monopolized the sale of oil in some islands. We will hopefully establish a system where STO will provide oil at the most basic rate in at least one island in each atoll," he said.

Muizz said that by making fuel available at the basic rate in at least one island in each atoll, private enterprises would be forced to end the sale of fuel at higher prices in rural areas.

"If STO's oil is cheaper and then competition is created for the private sector, people will benefit from competing on a commercial basis and the company will also benefit," Muizz said.

In Maradhoo, where the fishing industry is a priority, Muizz reiterated his promises on fisheries. He said that he would strengthen the management of the government fish company, MIFCO, and change the company's affairs to benefit the fishermen.

He also said that the promise to keep the price of fish at MVR 20 could not be done overnight, but would be done gradually, with a lot of work.