Infrastructure minister: MVR 36bn in PSIP projects signed, but budget under MVR 5bn

The collective value of Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) projects signed for this year exceeds MVR 36.8 billion, while the budget allocation for the projects is less than MVR 5 billion, says Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib.

He made the remark in response to questions at a parliamentary sitting on Tuesday morning.

Muthalib said that out of the projects awarded, the value of projects in which work has begun amounts to MVR 31.5 billion.

“…But our budget allocation for this year is less than MVR 5 billion. Because of this budget limitation, we are forced to prioritize,” he said.

Muthalib asked parliamentarians to ensure enough funds are allocated in the budget to run planned projects.

But this remark angered some parliamentarians, including South Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil – the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group leader – who said that annual budgets are drafted by government officials.

“This budget comes to the Parliament from the [Finance] Ministry after it is sent and reviewed by the President’s Office. Write appropriate figures when you send it. Do not blame us after failing to do this,” he said.

MDP has repeatedly accused the government of halting projects launched by the previous administration. However, the government has said there are simply no funds in the budget to run all projects.