Minister Zameer justifies absence of budget details

Minister of Finance Moosa Zameer stated today that the decision not to include detailed breakdowns of individual Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) projects in the state budget for the upcoming year is intended to allow flexibility for projects requested by the citizens.

The proposed budget for next year is MVR 64.3 billion, with MVR 9.3 billion allocated for projects and infrastructural development, representing 14 percent of total expenditure. The current budget, like this year’s, lacks specific details on individual PSIP projects, which has raised concerns from the Auditor General. During the Budget Review Committee meeting, Minister Zameer received criticism and questions from opposition MDP members over these missing details.

Zameer insisted that including detailed projects with non-commensurate figures in the budget, as was often done previously, did not yield effective results. According to the Minister, this issue arises because the government often lacks the opportunity to identify the most essential projects for each island from the capital, Malé.

Instead, Zameer stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has established a new culture where he personally visits islands, meets with residents, determines the projects needed, and ensures they are implemented according to the citizens' wishes.

"If projects are to be included in the budget and implemented, the most effective mechanism for doing so has now been established," Zameer said.

The Minister elaborated that the current framework grants flexibility to implement the most-needed project in the required sector for any given island. He emphasized that the government’s aim is to complete projects as quickly as possible, ensuring that necessary assistance is provided without facing financial constraints.

Zameer noted that many projects earmarked for this year are proceeding rapidly, with a portion already completed and inaugurated. He added that the majority of the remaining projects scheduled for this year are expected to be completed next year.