Nasheed says PNC councillors showing interest in MDP project office

Former President and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed has said a number of councillors from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) have expressed interest in working with the MDP’s project development office.

Nasheed made the remarks while concluding the investment forum held as part of the MDP congress on Friday. The forum presented investment opportunities proposed by local councils, with the party seeking to connect councils with potential investors.

The MDP established the Inter-Local Council Project Development Office in June to provide technical, financial and other support to local councils and assist them in securing financing for projects. Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer was appointed to head the office.

Nasheed said several PNC councillors had contacted the party to ask whether they could participate in the initiative.

In response, Nasheed said PNC councillors were not politically as distant from the MDP as might be assumed.

“Two-thirds of the current PNC councillors were politically born within the MDP. To put it another way, they came up through my hands,” Nasheed said.

“So PNC councils are not that unfamiliar to us.”

Nasheed said that although the project office was established by the MDP, it would provide assistance to councils represented by PNC members if they sought support. He said the office would also facilitate their participation in its work.

The MDP has said the office is intended to provide councils with technical, financial and other assistance to develop projects and secure investment.

The party’s investment forum is part of its congress being held from 1 to 3 October. According to information released for the forum, 75 projects proposed by councils from 32 islands across 14 atolls were presented, with a combined estimated value of USD 306 million. The proposals cover 14 sectors, including transport, fisheries and aquaculture, energy, tourism and housing.