PNC Vice President and Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has fired back at former President and MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed over his comments on the Government’s repayment of a USD 150 million State Bank of India (SBI) loan.

Mundhu said Nasheed had claimed that the Government did not have funds to make the final USD 50 million payment due today and warned of possible impacts on the Maldives’ credit rating.

Mundhu said the Government had made the USD 50 million payment, fully settling the USD 150 million loan obtained during Nasheed’s administration.

He said the payment was made without taking on additional debt, while funds remain available to purchase fuel and essential food items.

Mundhu also criticised Nasheed’s comments on usable reserves, saying it was inappropriate for those who left only USD 2 million in reserves to speak about the matter.