MP Shakeer Demands Transparency on PSIP Project Spending in State Budget

Member Ahmed Shakeer of the Maavah constituency has sent a letter to the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Abdulla Abdullah, demanding full disclosure of details regarding Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) projects included in the state budget. In his letter, Shakeer raised significant concerns about the proposed 2027 budget, noting that since 2024, the lack of detailed information on island projects in the budget book has made it difficult for members to identify constituency allocations and expenditures. He said this limited visibility hampers monitoring of development across the islands. The proposed 2027 PSIP budget is 8.2 billion rufiyaa. Shakeer pointed out a large gap between approved and actual spending in previous years: although 12.4 billion rufiyaa was approved for 2025, only 8.6 billion was spent; and while 8.3 billion was approved for 2026, the estimated spending is 6.5 billion rufiyaa. Shakeer specifically flagged projects in Kunahandhoo and Hithadhoo, part of his constituency. He noted that practical work on the water and sanitation project in Kunahandhoo has not started, despite a legal requirement to complete this service on all islands by the end of 2027. Complaints have arisen due to the delay. In Hithadhoo, half the water and sanitation work was completed but then halted entirely in recent years. In his letter to the Speaker, Shakeer requested full details on how PSIP projects are distributed to islands from 2024 to 2027, along with information on budget allocations and progress for projects in Kunahandhoo and Hithadhoo, stating this information must always be known in the interest of his constituents.