Need to accommodate cooperative mentality for Pres: VP

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef stated yesterday that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is sincere towards citizens and that a cooperative mentality towards the President needs to be accommodated. 

At the inauguration ceremony for the land reclamation for the fish factory and harbor development at GDh. Fiyoari, the Vice President said that there are other major projects that are set to take place on the island, with residents having responsibilities as well.

VP Hussain said that in light of that, the MP that was elected for Fiyoari in the most recent Parliamentary Election is someone who would cooperate with the President, and is someone who has the same thinking and mindset as the President as well.

"This should always be the mindset. This is how we should organize our future. We need to accommodate a cooperative mentality for a sincere President's efforts," said the VP.

He went on to say that if that is not the case, there would be difficulties surrounding the work being done by the government.

VP Hussain spoke on fisheries during yesterday's ceremony, stating that if the government were to keep fish prices as is, just as how the former government had raised prices, there would not be a way to pay the fishermen. However, VP Hussain also stated President Muizzu and Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam had decided to make sustainable arrangements for the procurement of fish.

"I bring positive news, that the pricing for this work will be maintained as was pledged by President Muizzu and will move forward quite soon," said the VP.

During the previous Presidential Election campaign, President Muizzu pledged to not lower the price of a kilogram of fish below MVR 20.

During yesterday's ceremony, Minister Shiyam said that of the 70,000 tons of yearly fish exports from Maldives, only 15 percent of that are exported in canned form.

The minister said that the other 85 percent is exported after being frozen, and that it does not generate adequate revenue.

The minister went on to say that the reason the amount of canned fish is so low is because MIFCO's Felivaru Factory does not have the required output, with the factory only having the capability to process 50 tons daily.

"Our aim is to raise the 50 ton capacity to 300 tons, with fish processing or canning or value adding following the 300 tons. One of these projects is now taking place in Fiyoari," said Shiyam. 

As per the minister, one of the biggest obstacles in Maldives' fisheries industry is the low capacity in storing fish.