Monday
29th Apr 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Minister Shiyam greets President Dr. Muizzu. | Photo: President’s Office
The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) will be able to pay the outstanding amount owed to the fishermen before March 5th, 2024, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, said.
Speaking to “Dhiyares” about the protest by some fishermen in Kooddoo, the minister said that the previous government had about 240 million MVR outstanding when it took over the government. The outstanding backlog is now roughly 280 million MVR due to difficulties in disbursement.
The payment is being made in accordance with the advice and instructions of the President and will be paid before March 5th, he said.
"The President has also said that, during the month of Ramadan, we will meet the backlog of money owed to the fishermen. We will hopefully clear the backlog of 280 MVR million by March 5th," he said.
While the backlog is being resolved, fishermen will be paid weekly for their fish. The minister said that the fishermen will be paid for their fish every week. The minister assured that the complaints of the fishermen would be resolved after the backlog was removed.
The Minister met with the protestors yesterday to discuss their concerns and assure them that the situation would be resolved.