Minister pleads for time amid fishermen protest

"This is a difficult time on Sunday. Hopefully, with the vision we brought to the fishermen, there will be no poverty for the fishing families during the five years of President Muizzu," Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam said on Sunday while interacting with the protesting fishermen in G.A. Kooddoo.

"Just give us a little time, is what I ask”.

While Shiyam kept repeating so, some fishermen there were saying that poverty had 'come to an end' for their families.

The fishermen have closed down the Kooddoo Fisheries Complex since this morning, protesting for their long-term pending payments.

The main concerns of the fishermen are:

In response, Minister Shiyam visited Kooddoo last evening to listen to the concerns of the fishermen and discuss a solution to the problem.

Some videos of Shiyam addressing the fishermen have circulated on social media.

"We are working with the banks, the finance ministry, our ministry and MIFCO to find a way to get this money. Work has been done, by all, MIFCO, the finance ministry and us," he said.

"That's why I dare to say this now, we will solve these issues before March 5. You hopefully will not have to protest here because you’re not getting paid after that”.

However, for some fishermen there, March 5 was too late.

Operations of the Kooddoo Fisheries Complex are still suspended.

"Shiyam is still in discussions with the fishermen. Operations have not yet started," MIFCO Regional Manager Anwar Sadat told Atoll Times on Sunday evening.

"We are looking forward to resuming operations tonight once the fishermen's demands are resolved or answered”.

Anwar said the fishermen's protest stopped the operations of the Kooddoo Fisheries Complex this morning.

He said there were 22 boats in the queue at the time. That’s about 176 tons of fish.

Before leaving for Kooddoo, Shiyam wrote assuringly in 'X' that the backlog would be cleared before March 5.

“This government inherited about MVR 250 million and the total backlog of MVR 280 million that is currently outstanding will be settled by March 5,” the minister said in the post.

"And since the date we reviewed the price of fish, MIFCO will pay 26 million every week for fish purchased within a week’s time. MIFCO will arrange the money this week”.

The government is working to settle the money owed to fishermen before the upcoming month of Ramadan, President Mohammed Muizzu said at a rally in Addu on Sunday.