Ex-pres Yameen: Government has no time left to fulfill pledges

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Tuesday said that the government no longer has time for large-scale projects.

Speaking at a gathering held by the Progressive Coalition at the office of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Yameen said that while the government has been saying fulfilling pledges, there is no time left to start and complete projects.

He went on to say that the government is attempting to hide the truth, and that was seen on the day the state budget was presented.

“The government is earning MVR 20 billion in taxes and other ways. The MVR 42 billion budget was presented to manipulate people.”

Moreover, Yameen noted that the predicted earnings for this year have yet to be earned, and the only thing done to get money was selling T-bills and printing money. He added that though the government includes large sums in the budget, it is not possible to earn that much.

“The high earnings for the government comes from tourism. That money will then be coming in April next year. Even if MVR 42 billion is earned, there is no time left to finish projects and fulfill vows, with the Presidential Election scheduled for September 2023.”

In addition to this, Yameen said that even if the government claims large-scale projects can be completed within four months, today, people no longer believe it. He highlighted the ongoing Thilamale’ Bridge project as an example of this.

The government has presented an MVR 42.7 billion budget for next year.