Minister vows to honour 48-hour fishermen payment pledge

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, in a press conference held by the President’s Office Tuesday, addressed questions about the government’s unfulfilled promise to pay fishermen within 48 hours for their catch.

This commitment was made by President Mohamed Muizzu, but as of now, many fishermen have reported delays in receiving their payments. The government-owned fisheries company, MIFCO, has also faced difficulties, sometimes issuing payments as debt or on a monthly basis, which falls short of the original promise.

Shiyam emphasized that the government has not forgotten its commitment to the fishermen and assured that the current administration is actively working toward fulfilling it. He contrasted this promise with those made by previous governments, suggesting that some past commitments were either unkept or forgotten.

“There are government promises, some governments do not even remember that they even made those promises. However, President Muizzu’s government will fulfill our promise made especially to the fishermen,” Shiyam said.

The minister acknowledged the frustration of fishermen who have not yet been paid promptly, citing that the administration is working to address a significant backlog of payments that was inherited from the previous government. 

“The previous government had not planned to pay the money and other expenses. However, we are addressing the backlog despite financial challenges,” he stated.

Shiyam outlined the obstacles the government is currently facing in fulfilling the 48-hour payment promise. Among the major hurdles are financial constraints and an inherited backlog of debts to fishermen. 

Additionally, he pointed out that while the previous government chose to print more money to address immediate payment issues, the current government has opted against this approach to avoid inflationary impacts on the economy.

To fulfill the promise within 48 hours, Shiyam identified key areas of focus:

According to Shiyam, various government entities, including MIFCO, the Ministry of Finance, STO (State Trading Organization), and BML (Bank of Maldives), are actively working together to streamline the payment process and reduce delays. 

“Hopefully, this promise to give money within 48 hours is to fulfill it without delay,” he stated, emphasizing that this goal remains a priority despite the challenging financial landscape.

Shiyam also acknowledged that the current financial situation is unprecedented in the history of the country, highlighting that the government is not only managing regular expenses but also paying off substantial loans and debts incurred over time.

In closing, he reassured fishermen that the government is committed to fulfilling its promise, stating, “We are already working on fulfilling that promise. MIFCO, Finance, and we are working with STO and BML to find a convenient solution.”