President Mohamed Nasheed has said, since the government decided to open up the fishing industry to competition, returns the local fishermen received for their daily catch has considerably increased.
Addressing the people of Thinadhoo of Gaaf Dhaal Atoll, the last leg of his tour of Southern Atolls, the President stated that increasing the price that local fishermen received for their catch was a key pledge of the government.
The President underscored that since the government allowed small and medium enterprises to buy fish directly from local fishermen for exports, a kilogram of fish fetched more than Rf10. He noted that kilogram of fish did not fetch more than Rf5 prior to 2008.
In his speech at Thinadhoo last evening, the President also highlighted the importance and success of the government’s social security programme.
Noting that about one third of the country still lived below poverty line, he said, building harbours, sewerage systems or other infrastructure could not develop the country, when a large proportion of the country’s population could not afford these services.
The President said the objective of the government’s social security programme was to enable the poorest and most vulnerable people of the country to access the basic services available in the country.
In his address to the people of Thinadhoo, the President also spoke on the government’s education policy.
He said the objective of the government’s policy to create a well-rounded holistic education system was to create a well-informed individual who is vital for the overall development of the country.
The President has returned to Male’ last night after concluding his visit to Addu Atoll, Fuvahmulah and Huvadhu Atoll.
