Fuel to be sold in all atolls at STO rate by end of year

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated today that the government is working towards making fuel available at STO rate in all atolls of Maldives by the end of the year.

Speaking on the 'Rayyithunnaa Eku' [With Citizens] podcast, the President said that the government is undertaking many efforts through infrastructure development and other ways to make available necessary resources for fishermen.

The President reminded that making fuel available at STO rate is amongst his presidential pledges, stating that the work is now being conducted swiftly by the company.

The President said that this would lead to the creation of a competitive market, which would lead to other companies also having to bring down fuel prices.

In addition to this, efforts are also ongoing to make ice more conveniently available across atolls, he said. He highlighted that the government is now issuing loans for RSW to be set up on fishing vessels, as well as working on setting up ice plants on various islands.

The President said that when he had come to office, the fisheries industry had been neglected, with the then government having failed to pay fishermen their dues for their catches.

He said that at the time, there was approximately MVR 250 million owed to fishermen. This government introduced a system where fishermen are paid for their catch within 48 hours, which has been implemented from December 10 last year.

The President claimed that some who had left the industry have also returned back to work now that fishermen are being paid their dues in a timely manner.