Advisor to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and former Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stressed MDP's commitment to holding the government accountable.
Speaking at a campaign rally held at southernmost Addu City's Hithadhoo island on Saturday, the former president said there are already multiple issues for which President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government must be held accountable. This can only be achieved if the MDP attains a majority in the upcoming parliamentary election, he said.
"MDP's pursuit to hold the government accountable cannot be obstructed," he said.
Responding to allegations by the current government that President Solih's government had borrowed large sums, greatly indebting the state during his tenure, Solih said his government had implemented the most number of projects during a five-year term and had spent about MVR 36 billion on development projects. This was achieved while also paying back about MVR 1.2 billion every three months for loans taken by previous governments, he said, refuting claims that his government had borrowed excessively.
"Today, President Muizzu is saying that he paid MVR 800 million in three months while we paid about MVR 1.2 billion every three months. These are not a loan we took. However, governments are continuity and have to pay back the loans taken by predecessors. This is what we did," Solih explained.
Solih further said the country needs to be collectively developed in order to address and ease the congestion in the capital, Male' City. He said he prioritized the development of Addu City during his term, but that the current government had halted some of the projects commenced by the last government.
