Deputy speaker urges review of fish price, fishermen subsidy
Nazim said the price fixed by MIFCO at MVR 17 per kg is not objectionable as MIFCO suffers an MVR 8 per kg loss buying at that price.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Subsidising fisheries is not right, and the government should accept the fact and review the current fish purchasing price, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dhiggaru Constituency PNC Member Ahmed Nazim urged on Tuesday.
Nazim was debating an emergency motion filed by the opposition MDP on Tuesday raising concern over the delay in receiving the money from MIFCO for the fish sold to the fishermen.
Nazim said the price fixed by MIFCO at MVR 17 per kg is not objectionable as MIFCO suffers an MVR 8 per kg loss buying at that price. He said it is not sustainable to buy fish at that price.
“If this is done in a sustainable manner, the money will be paid on time, by buying fish at a price that can be met. And the fishermen will also have to sell the fish at that price,” Nazim said.
"Whether it's MVR 12 or MVR 15, the fishermen will also get their dues on time if it is done right, if ends are met. So, we have to accept that fact and work accordingly”.
Nazim said he also believes that MIFCO should pay for the fish it has already bought from the fishermen at the same price without delay. However, if the state had the money, it would now have been paid, he said.
"The situation in the country does not allow for these payments. This situation is inherited by this government. I believe the government will pay the money. However, we need to think about reviewing this price. [It is] necessary," Nazim said.
Pointing out that the population of fishermen is 17,000, Nazim said 35,000 people are working as civil servants alone and 15,000 in resorts. He described such a huge subsidy to 17,000 fishermen alone within the working population as 'not fair even in terms of social justice'.
'We are giving subsidies to 17,000 fishermen in this manner. This is by no means justified. So, we have to think twice about this,' he said.
Nazim urged the opposition MDP members to put aside their political views and come up with a solution that would benefit the country as a whole. He also noted that the people said no to the previous government despite making fish at MVR 25 per kg during the last presidential campaign.
