Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has emphasised that public confidence is vital for development and for continued progress, highlighting the focus given by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to build the fisheries sector.
Speaking at a ceremony to initiate the practical work on the development of a fish canning factory in Fiyoaree, Gaafu Dhaalu, Vice President said that the pledges made by President Muizzu can be seen coming to fruition across the nation.
The Vice President said that pledges related to the fisheries sector included in the presidential manifesto reflects the visionary approach the President has in mind in relation to the diversification of the economy.
The Vice President looked back on the presidential campaign and noted that the President invested significant time and effort towards meeting fishermen, crewmen and other stakeholder of the sector and listened to their concerns. Problems that have impeded progress in the fisheries sector and have been unresolved for decades were identified and included in the manifesto, the Vice President added.
The Vice President also lamented that when the administration took office, development had been significantly hindered and the economic was in a bad state. As such, he said the government had to spend a significant effort to rehabilitate the economy.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the government due to the economic situation, the Vice President expressed optimism by the fact that the President continues to deliver on his pledges, regardless of the challenges faced. He said one of the key lessons taken from COVID was that a nation cannot be dependent on a single source of economic activity for its revenue. As such, the government is working towards economic diversification, he said.
Highlighting the loss of economic output from fisheries in islands once renowned for fishing, The Vice President reiterated that public confidence is key for the government’s efforts to revive fisheries in these islands.
To conclude, the Vice President said that youth loose interest in the fisheries sector manly due to disengagement. As such, the government will work towards bringing in more youth to fisheries while ensuring job security.