MVR 1.6 billion issued to fishermen in 5 months

The government has issued MVR 1.6 billion to fishermen in the Maldives with in the past five months, revealed Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam.

Speaking at a PNC event on Tuesday night, the minister accused the previous administration of bolstering the government's price of purchasing fish to MVR 25 per kilogram for political reasons. When President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assumed power, the government owed more than MVR 250 million to fishermen, he said.

Shiyam went on to say that this payment was cleared by the current government, and revealed that a total of MVR 1.6 billion was issued to fishermen by the government from November 15, 2024 onwards.

"He [President Muizzu] has been looking at the monetary figures coming in since then. Most recently, [he] has started paying the fishermen within 48 hours since last Fishermen's Day," the minister said.

"We have paid half a billion, 500 million so far as we speak."

Payment within 48 hours of weighing the fish is a presidential pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. This is reportedly being implemented since December, 2024.