100-day roadmap being created for implementing pledges, says President

President Abdulla Yameen has said that efforts are ongoing to create a 100-day roadmap for implementing the pledges in the coalition parties’ manifestos.

Yameen said while speaking to the media after attending a Council meeting of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) today, that the projects to be implemented by the 30th day and the 45th day will be outlined in the roadmap.

“To implement the pledges in the manifesto, we will start with a 100-day roadmap. This work is already under way. The projects to be implemented by the 30th day and the 45th day will be outlined in the roadmap. God willing, we will achieve this,” he said.

He said that efforts are also under way to fulfil the pledges in the manifesto for fishermen and youth.

“We have created committees to implement the pledges in the manifesto regarding the youth and fishermen,” he said.

Yameen said that the majority of the people believe that there is no need for several councillors in small islands, and that he will request the parliament to reform the number of councillors required and councillors’ salary structure, before the local council election this year.

Yameen said that efforts are ongoing to reduce government expenditure, and that action will be taken to reduce recurrent expenses.

“More than one billion can be freed from the budget by cutting down recurring expenses,” he said.

Yameen said that his government will revise the MVR 16.4 billion budget proposed to the parliament by the government of former President Mohamed Waheed.

“We will make major changes to the budget. We have to make the budget one that addresses the pledges made by the coalition parties during the election. So we will make the necessary changes.”

He said that ministerial posts will be given to members of parties that have decided to support PPM, and mentioned the appointment of Deputy Leader of Jumhooree Party Ameen Ibrahim to the post of Minister of Transport last night as an example.

He said that individuals who are appointed as board members of government companies must be capable people who can produce results, and urged the coalition parties to keep this in mind when nominating individuals to these posts.