Minister Shiyam assured fishermen that the pledges made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu will be fulfilled once the financial status of the country improves.
Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has said that the government will honor its commitments to fishermen once the State's financial situation improves.
Yellowfin tuna fishermen staged a protest yesterday near the presidential jetty, calling for Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO) purchase their fish and urging the Government not to issue permits for fishing with setlines.
Speaking with the protesters, Minister Shiyam acknowledged that the new administration has been in power for seven months. However, he noted that the promises made to fishermen have not been fulfilled immediately due to the country's financial status.
Shiyam said that when the new government took office, the country's financial situation was worse than it is now. He assured fishermen that the pledges made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu will be fulfilled once the financial situation of the country improves.
"As I earlier said, this government remains committed to fulfilling the promises made early in its term," he said.
"We are in talks of what [different] industries need to focus on to improve the financial situation," Shiyam added.
Regarding the concerns about allowing fishing with setlines, the Minister said that this is being discussed under the many ways the government is exploring to increase revenue as the State's financial situation is weak. However, the Minister added that no decisions regarding fishermen will be made without first consulting them.
Shiyam told the fishermen that although the government had earlier pledged that MIFCO will buy yellowfin tuna, this would not be possible within this year due to the financial status of the company.
"We are working to improve MIFCO now," the Minister said.
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