Ameer: Budget drafted after consultations; projects stalled due to deviation from plans

Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has refuted claims by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, attributing the current administration’s failure to undertake projects in its first year to the lack of opportunities within the state budget passed for the prevailing year during last parliamentary assembly where then-ruling MDP held the majority.

Speaking at AA. Thoddoo as part of his ongoing tour of some islands in Alifu Alifu Atoll and Kaafu Atoll – President Muizzu said insufficient funds were allocated for the projects in the budget making it impossible to see to their implementation.

Ameer responded to the claims via a post on X in which he underscored that the MDP administration consulted with the government-elect’s Transitional Committee before submitting the proposed budget for this year. In this trajectory, he said matters raised by the Committee were integrated into the budget.

“While pointing to the budget as the reason behind the failure to do things, the situation was reached by undertaking new initiatives that were not included in the budget. If things proceeded according to budget plan, economic activities would have continued without stalling,” he said.

Funds allocated for the current administration’s projects under the budget for this year included the expenses to reclaim Fushidhiggarufalhu and USD 37 million incurred to purchase military drones from Türkiye.

Ameer pointed out that an additional MVR 1.425 billion has been spent on salaries so far this year, compared to the same period last year.

Thus, he called on the government to stop “blaming” the budget for its shortcomings.

“You will be unable to accomplish what you have failed to do within the past year in the next four years as well. Projects do not suddenly proceed when the administration changes and a new person presents the budget. There is no vision to achieve things, nor the capacity – or even that sincerity,” he added.

Apart from the President, members of his cabinet have also blamed stalled projects on the budget passed by MDP’s administration, citing it lacked sufficient funds to implement projects.

Speaking at Thoddoo on Sunday, President Muizzu developmental projects will proceed nationwide starting from January with the new budget and in this trajectory affirmed the commitment for 2025 and 2026 to actively fulfill the campaign pledges made in the islands during the presidential elections.