PNC Vice President and Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam stated last night that if the majority of the Addu City Council is given to the PNC or the government in the local council elections to be held on the fourth of next month, a difference will be seen.
He made these remarks during the ceremony held to open the Malé campaign hub for candidates contesting the local council and Women's Development Committee elections under the ticket of the ruling party, PNC.
"Insha Allah, you will see the difference. We know that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has a vision for the development of the entire country, for the future of the entire country, and for the benefit and profit of the citizens. He has a very large vision," Shiyam said.
According to him, Addu is one of the cities given the highest priority in President Muizzu's vision. Shiyam stated that the President's manifesto includes plans to solve the long-standing major issues in Addu, but there are difficulties because the MDP government finished their term having "emptied the drawer."
"This is the trouble we are facing. They (MDP) governed in such a way that every possible challenge would arise in doing the work that needs to be done with large expenditures from the treasury in Addu City," he said, targeting the now-opposition MDP.
"They left after emptying the drawer. Once they left, the President had to save the country. He first had to save the country by increasing the money in that drawer."
Shiyam noted that President Muizzu has stated that this is a year where development projects in all regions of the Maldives will take shape. Shiyam said that after assuming office on November 17, 2023, the President first organized matters in that manner. He noted that this included arranging the financial measures required for matters related to the development of Addu.
"He collected the money. Today, Insha Allah, we are doing that work. Insha Allah, what we know is that he will fulfill the promises he made to Addu City perfectly. Because he will fulfill them, he is working closely with the people," Shiyam said, expressing confidence in the President.
According to him, what makes President Muizzu different is that he visited all inhabited islands within the first two years of his presidency without discriminating against any island. Shiyam stated that even while noting there was an MDP majority, the President did not sideline any council and met with them during those trips.
Shiyam pointed out that the President even met with the Addu City Council, which has a full MDP majority, and handed over a written list of the things this government will do for the development of the city.
However, Shiyam said that what is being seen is Addu Mayor Ali Nizar causing "every possible trouble" for this government. He stated that the people of Addu are very educated and aware of how things work, and they will specifically know that what MDP says are "unreliable" stories.
Shiyam said that until the last parliamentary election, the people of Addu held hopes for the MDP. However, he claimed those hopes have now been lost and that they are now standing with President Muizzu.
