- No opposition leader capable of paying off debts
- President appealed to select him to a second term
- Loans must be taken for development projects
President Abdullah Yameen sends out a strong rebuttal to the opposition figures stating this Government had the will and capability to pay off the debts incurred on the loans taken out for the development projects.
He stated this while addressing the function held to officially inaugurate the construction of a sewerage system in Fuvahmulah City.
In his address, President Yameen said there will be considerable hurdles for the public when development drives take place in the nation and apologized for it, adding that it will be this Government seeking to resolve these issues.
"This Government is changing the status of the public, and with the will of God, this Government will be the one helping the citizens overcome current difficulties. I promise this," President Yameen said.
President Yameen said loans have to taken for development projects. While the opposition raised doubts over rising debt levels, he assured the debts will be paid off before his tenure ended. He challenged the opposition, stating that they raised the issue of debts as they were unsure they cannot bring about a leader who can pay off the debts.
"I will end my term after paying off the debt. When they [the opposition] put forward this issue as a serious one, we know they do not have an individual who can pay off this debt. I do believe that we should be given a second term to ensure the loans are paid of fully," he said.
President Yameen said at the start of his tenure, the debt was at MVR 33 million. The loans, he said, needed to be paid back, irrespective of where it had been borrowed from, noting that 10 percent of state expenditure was on paying loans.
President Yameen added that development projects have to be at the forefront in order to bring progress to the nation and as such have to spend beyond means at times. This, he said, should not be viewed as being indebted.
