Ameer maintains that there was no indication of bringing a halt to the project.
Former Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer has said that even to the point when the previous administration had left office, Kuwait Fund had been in agreement to issue loans for the establishment of hospitals in seven islands.
Ameer's comments were in response to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's statement on Monday that the former government had failed to commence the establishment of hospitals in seven islands, as a result of which the Kuwait Fund had withdrawn some funds they had extended for the projects.
The agreement to build 30 bed hospitals in 7 islands through the aid of Kuwait Fund had been signed last May during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's term in office. Of these seven islands, hospitals in Haa Dhaalu atoll Hanimaadhoo, Alif Dhaalu atoll Maamigili, Vaavu atoll Felidhoo and Thaa atoll Vilufushi was contracted to a Maldivian company - Duplex Pvt Ltd. Hospitals in the remaining three islands - Shaviyani atoll Milandhoo, Noonu atoll Velidhoo and Kaafu atoll Thulusdhoo - were contracted to Anand Building Pvt Ltd.
Ameer said that the project, worth about MVR 680 million, had been delayed due to political uncertainties that arose in Kuwait during that time. He said that the Kuwait Fund, too, was affected by this, with changes being brought to its management who remained to take a decision on the issuance of the loan.
Ameer maintains, however, that there was no indication of bringing a halt to the project.