Fisheries Minister to be Summoned to Parliament Tomorrow

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has been scheduled to be summoned to tomorrow's parliamentary sitting.

The Minister is being summoned to answer questions submitted by Kendhoo constituency MDP member Mauroof Zakir, seeking clarification on the efforts being made to provide a sustainable income from various types of fishing.

In the question submitted to the Minister, Member Mauroof Zakir asked what work is being done to provide a sustainable income to those whose entire livelihoods depend on fishing, such as those who cook, dry, and sell skipjack tuna, little tuna, and frigate tuna as dried fish, as well as reef fishermen and those engaged in other types of fishing. He also asked to clarify why there is discrimination among fishermen in different sectors of the fishing industry, with these parties not receiving fuel subsidies.

The Fisheries Minister is scheduled to be summoned to Parliament at a time when, even after one year of this government, promises made to fishermen have not been fulfilled, the issue of non-payment for fish bought by MIFCO persists, and fishermen are expressing concern over MIFCO selling diesel to vessels on a controlled basis.