First payment to fishers under 48 hours credited

The Minister of Fisheries Ahmed Shiyam on Tuesday confirmed that the first payment, issued within 48 hours as per President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's pledge, has been credited.

The Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has credited MVR 2,045,823.37 for the weighed fish by local fishers on Sunday.

"Today marks the historic day where we have made the first-ever payment within 48 hours from the time of fishers selling their fish, which followed after we cleared the backlog inclusive of December 7th on Monday," the minister said in a post on X.

The minister also extended greetings on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of Fishermen's Day.

Payment to fishers within 48 hours from the time they sold fish is among the key pledges of President Muizzu.

While speaking to the residents of K. Gaafaru on Tuesday, President Muizzu confirmed the government has signed an agreement with the Bank of Maldives (BML) facilitating the deposit of payments to fishers with accounts at the bank.

President Muizzu also confirms the government has settled MVR 39 million in previously unsettled payments as of Tuesday, which is the backlog of the last two weeks.

Payments to local fishers with accounts at Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) has not been facilitated so far, but the government has promised ongoing efforts to resolve this.

He also announced fishers can buy fuel at the State Trading Organization (STO) set rates from K. Himmafushi, Addu City Hulhumeedhoo, Kooddoo and Felivaru.