Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed has requested to slow down the pace of projects being implemented by the administration to fulfill its pledges. President Nasheed made the request in response to Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam, who briefed the Parliament regarding pledge fulfillment on Wednesday.
The minister was asked by Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem whether he had confidence that President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's pledges related to the Planning Ministry would be fulfilled.
In his response, Minister Aslam said all entities, including the Planning Ministry, would work to fulfill the President's pledges. The minister said a pledge is made with the intent to carry out the commitment and, therefore, would do their best to fulfill the pledge. Noting that some pledges are fulfilled earlier than others, he acknowledged that there were delays in executing others.
"It [the delay] is not because we do not intend to fulfill the pledge, but there are things we cannot do with the challenges that come while doing the work. This is why I said that," Aslam said, reiterating what he had said earlier in Parliament regarding fulfilling the President's pledges.
Aslam said he did not want to respond to social media comments regarding the President's pledges and about him. However, he assured that the President was working hard to fulfill his promises.
Replying to Minister Aslam, President Nasheed said there was no doubt that the government agencies were working to fulfill the administration's pledges. However, the government's pace should be slowed down by considering the current financial situation in the Maldives and the global economy, he said. Nasheed repeatedly said this was not the best time to carry out concrete projects as the Maldives is an oil-dependent country, and oil prices have risen in the global market.
"I think it is necessary to slow down these projects. I know it will be difficult for you, honorable members, to say this. And I know it will be difficult for the government too. However, I, I think, must say this. I don't think this is the time to run simultaneous concrete projects" he said.
International financial institutions have been urging the government to postpone major projects and prioritize debt repayment based on the current global economic situation. However, the government continues to carry out projects without pause to fulfill its pledges. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer have assured that the country has the ability to repay its debt.
