President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom has stated that the opportunity cost of not seizing the development opportunities was an irrecoverable loss to the nation.
He made the statement speaking in the ceremony held in Gaaf Alif Dhehvadhoo to open the MTCC developed port, MIFCO ice plant and the foundation laying ceremony of the mosque held this morning in the island.
President Yameen appealed the nation to reflect on the 10-year development gap, stating that that the last five years of President Maumoon’s tenure was marked by obstacles in the development and the five years that followed were chaotic which again led to a halt in development.
He said that this had hindered many development projects from being executed; characterizing it as a lost opportunity for rapid development.
“During the last five years of President Maumoon’s tenure all developmental projects were halted. The nation did not have time to move ahead, we had no time, but to argue on the loss of rights, debate on who to listen to,” he said.
President Yameen said that the political turmoil at the time caused setbacks in infrastructure-based development, and that more time was, instead, spent on dissidents and responding to comments made by foreign agencies.
However, he said that his administration was working to reverse the losses of the past 10 years.
President Yameen also said the opposition had constantly and consistently failed to participate in the Government led developmental projects, appealing all to join the Government’s efforts.
He added that if the 10 years had been used effectively, then the GDP could have been raised to US$ 15000.
“Had that occurred, then we would have been a standard in the region. Maldivians will be living in prosperity. There will be none to dispute this,” President Yameen said.
Opportunity cost of not seizing development opportunity is huge: President Yameen
