The President said that MVR 38 million in payments have already been disbursed to fishermen. Of this, MVR 32.4 million was deposited into the bank accounts of 196 individuals with BML accounts, while MVR 5.6 million was deposited into 20 individuals with MIB.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the mechanism for disbursing payments owed to fishermen within 48 hours will be implemented from tomorrow, fulfilling a key presidential pledge.
He made this statement in his address to the citizens of Kaafu atoll Gaafaru this morning.
President Muizzu said that MVR 38 million in payments have already been disbursed to fishermen by this afternoon. Of this, MVR 32.4 million was deposited into the bank accounts of 196 individuals with accounts at BML, while an additional MVR 5.6 million was deposited into 20 individuals accounts with MIB.
With this, the backlog of payments owed to fishermen has now been cleared and payments will be disbursed to every fisherman who has an account with BML within 48 hours from tomorrow, President Muizzu said.
He added that payments will be arranged within 48 hours for the fishermen who have accounts with MIB.
President Muizzu said that fulfilling the pledge was not possible on the second day of since taking office.
“It takes time. MIFCO also had to undergo major reforms. The company's administrative arrangements are not the best,” he said.
The President acknowledged that fulfilling the promise had been a significant challenge.
“Finally, about MVR 38 million has been deposited with fishermen over the last 14 days,” he said.
President Muizzu noted that a crucial agreement had been signed between the Ministry of Finance, MIFCO, and the Bank of Maldives to facilitate payments to fishermen.
He announced that starting tomorrow, payments would be disbursed to fishermen within 48 hours. December 10 marks Fishermen's Day.