Solih: Record budget lacks clarity on how projects will be executed

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has criticized the proposed state budget for lacking clarity on the implementation of projects, raising the question as to how the government plans to execute projects.

Speaking at a ceremony held in HA. Hoarafushi on Thursday night to mark ‘Hoarafushi Day’, Solih said that when he took office in 2018, the Maldives had a centralized economy centered around the capital, Malé, which led to people from the atolls migrating and causing overcrowding in the city.

Solih emphasized that effective project implementation requires careful planning, noting that during his administration, projects were carried out only after securing necessary funding and drawing renderings. He attributed the successful completion of the first phase of the Hoarafushi road redevelopment to this approach.

“It is a shame that some of the projects initiated on this island have been stalled as of present. This is because individuals in the current administration lack planning skills and do not have a plan,” he added.

Finance Minister Moosa Zameer presented the record MVR 64.2 billion budget proposed by the government for 2026 at Thursday’s parliamentary sitting, marking the highest ever budget proposed to date.

Solih, citing both the budget proposed last year and this year, is quite high, underscored that both lack clarity. He questioned how the government plans to execute projects.

“What have they done for the Maldives? What developmental projects are underway? I am receiving this complaint from every island I am visiting. We are not talking about a small amount of money. The details of how things will be achieved is not mentioned in the budget. How will they ever be accomplished then?” he questioned.

Solih said his administration had undertaken efforts required to build an economy. The former president, referring to plans by the government to inaugurate the new terminal at HDh. Hanimaadhoo International Airport in November, accused the government of neglecting other things that should have been done by the time the terminal is inaugurated.

In this regard, Solih accused the current government of failing to take any meaningful steps to promote tourism in Boduthiladhunmathi. He warned that without efforts to develop tourism in the region — even if it means offering incentives to foreign investors, such as leasing islands and lagoons rent-free for a set period — the Hanimaadhoo Airport will face losses.

Solih also called upon the government to provide assistance to the private sector.

The former president, who strongly criticized the incumbent administration, said the nation has fallen to a chaos with the governance system on complete shambles.

“No need to say the parliament, judiciary and independent institutions – they are all under the same roof, run by the same person. There is no way to ensure accountability. We do not know how things are unfolding,” he said.

“I believe that it is high time each Maldivian citizen needs to assess this situation and commence efforts in this trajectory,” he added.