Results of loan funded projects during MDP government will be visible: Azim

If loans were taken out for projects during Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration, its result would be visible, Mayor of Malé City Adam Azim said last night.

At last night's MDP event, Azim said that all the current government does is criticise the former administration and condemn their efforts to help the people.

Azim's comments were in response to the accusations made by government officials blaming the loans taken by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration as the reason for the country's high debt levels.

"This country saw development because of the efforts of MDP members. [It is the reason why] the people were able to become more independent. There was no other reason," he said.

"The work done by the MDP back then resulted in the elderly receiving MVR 5,000. Because of the MDP's efforts, single mothers receive an allowance, people with disabilities get financial support, and children have access to school books and stationery. Thanks to MDP, we benefit from subsidized electricity. I dont think these facilities would be available after."

"Azim further added that the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry services, which commenced during his tenure as CEO of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), brought significant improvements to inter-atoll transportation. He emphasized that the MDP government implemented many such projects aimed at benefiting the average citizen."

"Today, all they [the current government] should talk about is how good the former administration was. They can't talk about anything else," he said.

He also assured that everything done during the former administration was done very well, and that the work done at the time should be further developed.

Azim also said that the people of Maldives got free land because of MDP's views, adding that the current government would have taken back the lands awarded to Malé residents if the former administration did not hand over the land ownership letters and agreements before the presidential term ended. He went on to point out that the government has not yet been able to hand over land plots from already reclaimed areas either.

"[I am] certain that if MDP took a loan for work, its results would be visible," Azim said.

"It's not possible to visit a Maldivian island without encountering development by the MDP. The impact of the previous government's work is visible everywhere," he said.