News DeskIn the vibrant canvas of Maldivian transformation, President Dr. Muizzu conducts a governance symphony, commanding the stage with a group of politically appointed officials, marking a departure from his technocratic roots during the Dr. Waheed administration.
In the annals of Maldivian political history, Dr. Muizzu’s trajectory as a ‘shining star’ during Dr. Waheed’s administration casts a long shadow. The seeds of the Muizzu brand were sown in an era where technocrats, irrespective of political affiliations, were granted a free hand to illuminate the political landscape.
Fast forward 13 years, and Dr. Muizzu has returned to the same administrative helm once occupied by Dr. Waheed, who appointed him as the housing minister. However, this time, the spotlight is on numbers – a tale of expenditure and appointments that unfolds as if it were a mega-project in itself.
The numbers 154 and 22 have become the heralds of change in the Maldives. One hundred fifty-four deputy ministers now navigate the corridors of power across 22 ministries, as per the President’s Office website. Within the confines of the President’s Office, nine deputies further augment this numerical saga.
Converted into Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), the monthly salary of a deputy ministers translates into a staggering monthly commitment of MVR 5.7 million and an annual outlay of MVR 69.4 million. The Homeland Security Ministry boasts the highest contingent of deputy ministers, a formidable 15, while the Ministries of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, and Cities, Local Government, and Public Works trail closely with 12 deputies each.
The narrative extends to the realm of state ministers, where the numerical tale continues. With 77 state ministers in the current government, each commanding a monthly salary of MVR 32,000 and an additional MVR 15,000 allowance, the financial implications reach MVR 4.2 million monthly and MVR 51 million annually.
This administration, marked by its numerical ascendancy, witnesses a notable departure from the previous five-year rule. The total number of ministerial appointments, exceeding 100 with 22 ministers and 77 state ministers, paints a historic picture of Maldivian governance in evolution.
Amidst this numerical surge, new positions like Political Director and Senior Political Director emerge, adding layers to the administrative mosaic.
In this unfolding narrative, the Maldives navigates uncharted waters, led by a President who orchestrates a symphony of numbers.
As Dr. Muizzu’s administration forges its legacy, the numbers shall linger in the political landscape, akin to the enigmatic mist gracing our city skylines.
