Cities, Local Government and Public Works Minister Adam Shareef has said that the country's economy was at the point of sinking when President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu took over the government, but the President is working tirelessly to rectify the situation.
The President is on a visit to the four northernmost atolls. Speaking at a meeting with the people of Dhidhdhoo during this visit, Minister Shareef said the country had been dragged into a pit, but President Dr. Muizzu is working hard to revive the economy.
"The economic situation in Maldives has definitely plunged the country to the point of sinking. But our hope is that you will know that the President has been working hard to revive the economy since day one,” Minister Shareef said.
The Finance Minister has issued an announcement to cut government spending to revive the economy.
Noting that President Dr. Muizzu had announced a major economic project in the region in the north, Shareef added that it would open an economic “gateway” in the region and economists were saying that it would benefit the people.
There is no doubt that no council in the history of Maldives has ever seen a leader who has done, and will do as much as Dr. Muizzu to actualize decentralization, he said.
The Minister said the real power is the financial power of the councils and the government will arrange for each council to acquire an island, if it needs it, within the legal framework. He said the opposition has not been harassed by President Dr. Muizzu so far, yet the Parliament is doing everything it can to disrupt the government.
"So far, President Muizzu has not bothered the opposition, while the Parliament is doing everything it can to cause trouble…but he is moving forward patiently,” Shareef explained. Therefore, he asked the people to vote for the candidates who will work with the government to enact this economic turnaround the President aims to bring about.