Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has stated that MIFCO will pay fishermen for the fish weighed at the rate of 25 Rufiyaa at that exact rate.
Replying to a question posed by the Parliament Member for Dhaandhoo constituency, Yauqoob Abdulla, during today's parliamentary sitting, the Minister assured that the bills for the fish bought from fishermen at twenty-five Rufiyaa will be cleared at that rate.
In response to MP Yauqoob's question on whether the government would take responsibility for the fines incurred by fishermen due to difficulties in paying bills and loans because they have not received their money over the past three months, the Minister said the government would not take responsibility for that. However, he mentioned that they would speak with banks to seek leniency in paying off the loans taken by fishermen.
Fishermen who spoke to Keyolha regarding this issue said that they are in debt to banks and unable to pay government utility companies due to the government's lack of responsibility. The fishermen stated that the government must take responsibility for this.
"We take loans estimating and relying on the money we get from fishing every month. We sell this fish to the government. Therefore, what the Minister is saying does not make sense. If we do not pay the loan money within the given period, a huge interest accumulates. We are struggling to pay the electricity bill, water bill, and internet bill not because we are careless," a fisherman said.
Fishermen are protesting in Kooddoo and Hulhudhoo in Addu Atoll. They are calling for immediate payment. However, the government has stated that the outstanding bills will be paid before the 5th of next month.
