MDP Declines Participation In Government’s 20-Year Development Plan

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced it will not participate in the government’s newly launched 20-year national development plan, citing concerns over its formulation and implementation.

The Ministry of Finance awarded a contract worth MVR 17.9 million to Nexia Maldives, a private consultancy, to prepare the plan, known as Viluntheri Raajje 2045 (Resilient Maldives 2045). President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the public consultation process on 6 November 2024, highlighting the plan as a crucial step in guiding national growth over the next two decades.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

In a statement released on Sunday, the MDP acknowledged the importance of a long-term framework but raised doubts about the government’s approach. The party said it had not been provided sufficient information about how the plan was being designed, the individuals consulted, or the decision-making process involved.

The MDP also highlighted that President Muizzu continued to announce projects, including airport and other construction initiatives, outside the scope of the proposed plan. The party identified additional issues, including incomplete land reclamation projects around Malé, plans to dredge the Fushidhiggaru lagoon, concerns over constitutional compliance, disregard for governance principles, weakening of state systems, and sudden changes to established regulations such as those governing environmental protection.

Based on these concerns, the MDP concluded it had no assurance that the government would follow through with the proposed plan, and therefore chose not to take part in its development process.

Despite the opposition’s refusal, Nexia Maldives has begun consultations, visiting islands to gather views from the public and stakeholders.