The government has merged the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. The present ministry is titled the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources, with Animal Welfare now omitted.
Ten of the twenty cabinet ministers abruptly resigned yesterday. Following this, the President appointed new ministers and shuffled the remaining cabinet yesterday evening. The total number of ministries was also reduced to fifteen. A ceremony was held at the President's Office where 12 ministers took oath of office.
Agriculture Minister was not sworn in during last night's ceremony. It has been learned that Shiyam had been out of town at the time.
A separate ceremony was held today where Shiyam retook oath of office and assumed the post of Minister for the ministry with its new mandate.
While Animal Welfare has been omitted from the mandate, it was this ministry that was previously responsible for managing Olhu Hiyaa, the cat shelter in Hulhumale'. It is unclear where the responsibility will be shifted now.
Ministerial appointments to new ministries
- Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Moosa Zameer
- Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusan
- Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam
- Minister of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development Dr Ismail Shafeeu
- Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali
- Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed
- Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam
- Minister of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed
- Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu
- Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Heena Waleed
- Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Dr Abdulla Muththalib
- Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef
- Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen
Minister of Defence remains yet to be appointed. The government has not announced when a new minister for this post will be sworn in.
Along with Attorney General Ahmed Usham, there are now 14 cabinet ministers. The government has said that there will be a total of 15, including the Defence Minister.
