MDP President Abdulla Shahid has stated that the government of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) increased the fish purchase price to MVR 25 per kilo to ensure fishermen receive a fair price.
Shahid, who served as the Foreign Minister in the previous government and as the President of the UN General Assembly, made these remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of the Male' campaign hub for MDP's Thimarafushi constituency candidate Fathuhulla Jameel.
Referring to claims by senior officials of the current government that the previous administration increased fish prices recklessly and to sabotage the government, Shahid stated that the price was increased after conducting necessary research and arranging how the state could afford it. Shahid added that the current government is unable to manage this because the economy has derailed and they do not know how to handle things.
"The UK was ready to eliminate duties. The European Union was ready to eliminate duties. The current government failed to do it because the economy derailed and reached that point. They lack the style. They don't know how to do things. They don't even know how to behave. Our President increased the price of fish to secure a fair price for fishermen," Shahid said.
Expressing concern over the non-payment of fishermen, Shahid noted that the MDP government faced unprecedented difficulties in the history of the Maldives. He pointed out that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when borders were closed and the state treasury had no income, the government arranged for fishermen to be paid weekly for their catch. He questioned why the current government is not doing the same.
"I want to ask the President and this government, where is the money you received from buying fish from the fishermen? Where did it go? Surely the fish caught by the fishermen was in your hands, wasn't it? Therefore, give the fishermen their rightful money. It must be given. It is the right of the fishermen," Shahid said.
Shahid also strongly criticized the government's decision to pay the outstanding dues to fishermen in installments.
"Then they say they will pay in installments. They didn't buy the fish in installments, did they? They bought it whole. They didn't buy one side today and the other side tomorrow," Shahid said.
While Shahid made these remarks, fishermen are also saying that they are begging the government to get the rightful money for their hard work. The fishermen's "demand" to the government is also to be paid in full at once. Following protests by fishermen demanding immediate deposit of their pending payments, the government released 70 million Rufiyaa last night to appease them and send them home. The government also stated that the remaining unpaid money will be paid in installments and cleared by the end of March.
