“USD18.6 million in outstanding payments to contractors for school developmental initiatives”

Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has revealed that USD18.6 million remain in outstanding payments to contractors for school developmental works initiated by the previous administration. The minister noted that when the current administration assumed office, there were several outstanding payments to contractors involved in the educational sector and works pertaining to the development of schools. In response to questions from parliamentarians, Minister Dr. Shafeeu stressed that the most difficult challenge he encountered after assuming his role as the minister, was the amount of pending bills owed to several companies. As such, the minister stated that over USD18 million remained in outstanding payments to contractors. Furthermore, Minister Dr. Shafeeu clarified that only USD2.4 million remain in outstanding payments from the works and projects initiated by the current administration. He stated that several delays have occurred due to the neglect of securing sufficient funds for the projects as well. On this stance, the minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to repay the outstanding amounts, identify projects required to be initiated and enter agreements with new contractors for the projects.