PNC Vice President and Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau has said the government does not require external help to hold itself accountable, arguing that oversight is already being exercised within the ruling party.
He made the remarks at a campaign launch event for Progressive National Congress (PNC) candidates contesting the upcoming local council and Women’s Development Committee elections in Gaafu Alifu Villingili.
Shujau said he views efforts to elect opposition candidates to councils in the name of “accountability” as unnecessary.
“We are holding our government accountable ourselves now. So we don’t need anyone else’s help to hold our government accountable at this time,” he said, noting that the ruling party holds a supermajority in parliament.
Shujau criticized the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), claiming it had failed to deliver meaningful development for Villingili while in government.
“For that reason alone, you should vote for the PNC candidates,” he said.
He praised the work of PNC candidate Vishal, who is seeking re-election as Villingili council president in the 4 April polls, pointing to the development of parks and installation of street lighting in the island.
Shujau also said the government had worked with relevant ministries to facilitate fuel supply for fishermen.
He alleged that during the MDP administration, MVR 47 million had been allocated to construct a Fenaka branch in Villingili but that the site remained unfinished. He further claimed funds had been entrusted to individuals for housing construction that did not materialize.
“I want to ask MDP members today what cooperation our council did not provide to achieve the development the people of Villingili wanted during your government,” he said.
According to Shujau, the PNC-led Villingili council had cooperated with the MDP government at the time but did not see results due to what he described as a lack of direction.
He described Villingili as a “fortress of PNC” and said it was imperative that the MDP not secure any seats in the upcoming elections.
“If the Villingili council is lost, it is the hope of future generations in Villingili being lost. We should not be saying no to development,” he said.
Shujau pointed to ongoing projects including the construction of the Villingili hospital and survey work completed for the Villingili International Airport project, which he said is now under way.
He also said the work of the island’s MP, Azim Abdul Aziz, demonstrates that the current government would not neglect Villingili.
Shujau described the government’s biggest achievement over the past two years as stabilizing state finances.
He claimed that when President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office, public finances were depleted.
“A person in the MDP leadership told us the country would not be able to hold on by March 2024 that money would have to be printed and loans could not be repaid,” he said.
Shujau said the government was gradually improving the economy and repaying debt without printing money. He added that the administration intends to repay the USD 500 million sukuk due in April and continue servicing debt accumulated by previous governments.
