MDP MP Abdul Ghafoor Claims 30% of State Funds Wasted Through Theft

Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member for the Haniimaadhoo constituency, has stated during a budget debate in the People's Majlis that corruption within the state is extremely high and that 30 percent of state funds are being wasted through theft. While debating the government’s proposed budget for next year, Abdul Ghafoor noted that 182 billion rufiyaa was spent on the state budget during the second MDP government, while a budget totaling 290 billion rufiyaa has been given to the current administration. Despite the increased budget, he said no project is moving forward under the current administration. Abdul Ghafoor highlighted issues in the health sector, stating that medicines needed by the public are not available. He raised questions about what the 10 billion rufiyaa allocated for the health sector next year is being spent on, adding that complaints regarding a lack of medicine are also received from health centers and hospitals. Addressing the President, Abdul Ghafoor said, "There is extreme corruption within the state, Honorable President, when there is extreme corruption and theft, things are going wrong; Honorable President, 30 percent of state funds are being lost in theft." He further claimed that no project claimed to be underway in his constituency is actually progressing. He stated that a road has not been built in Hanimaadhoo, H.Dh., the reef around that island has not been expanded, and neither a hospital nor a police station has been constructed. He also said harbor work in Naivadoo, H.Dh., is stalled, roads in that island remain unbuilt, harbor work in Fini, H.Dh., is stuck at the foundation stage, and school construction in that island has not progressed after three years. "This is negligence towards the people by those who came to rule over the people with the people's money, Honorable President, these things cannot happen like this," he said.