Cost cutting measures will not inconvenience people: Nazim

Maldives is currently facing economic difficulties, but the people will not suffer the consequences of any measures taken by the government to reduce expenditure, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhigurah MP Ahmed Nazim said last night.

Speaking at the ruling party People's National Congress (PNC)'s hub meeting last night, Nazim said that the government's economic reform program aims to increase revenue and decrease expenditure. He assured that the measures taken will ensure that existing services provided to the people will be maintained to its full potential.

“We are confident that any measures taken to reduce expenditure will not affect the quality of life of the people,” Nazim said.

Nazim emphasized that the government is working on formulating next year's budget to meet the people's needs without compromise. The government has also decided to expedite the completion of projects that are about to commence, aiming to accelerate the pace of project completion.

"Even if measures are taken to reduce expenditure, assistance provided to those in need, including the provision of Aasandha, will continue," Nazim said.

Nazim highlighted the necessity of cutting costs due to the current worrying economic situation. He noted that Aasandha, the universal health insurance program, had unpaid dues of MVR 1.1 billion to various parties by the end of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. However, the current government has paid MVR 1.4 billion to Aasandha service providers within the last eight months.

"Even though so many [previous government] bills have not been paid, we are paying the dues and continuously providing services to the people. People requiring Aasandha services are not deprived of it. Therefore, necessary measures to reduce costs are applied after making these considerations," Nazim said.

When the state budget for next year is presented to the parliament on November 1, Nazim assured that he would work to secure financing for the needs of the people. He stressed that the government will work in harmony with the people.

Nazim also mentioned that the country is seeking international aid to improve the economy's health, and once this aid is secured, the current situation will improve.