Aslam Refuses to Answer Questions Unrelated to Water, Sewerage

Minister of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam in parliament today refused to answer questions unrelated to water and sewerage.

The minister attended parliament today to respond to a question from Kanditheemu MP Abdulla Shaheem Abdul Hakeem. Shaheem inquired when the practical work to establish water and sewerage systems will begin as the projects have been delayed in some of the islands in his constituency.

Minister Aslam responded that the work is to be completed within a year and a half and that it is currently underway. He added that although 11 islands were sent tenders in 2020, none of them were successful in the efforts. The minister also claimed that the government is now considering directly awarding the projects.

While the government is considering directly awarding projects to state-owned enterprises, Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) is examining whether they are able to take on more work as the company is already conducting several projects. He added that the work is assigned to be completed within 540 days.

During the time for additional questions, numerous parliament members posed questions unrelated to water and sewerage systems. The minister responded that he has previously provided the parliament inaccurate information regarding those matters, but not to cause confusion. The minister also iterated that as today’s real question was in relation to water and sewerage, he has answers in that field, but he is unable to answer questions on any unrelated field.