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Vice President launches teaching aid donation programme

Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed attended the pre-inaugural ceremony of the 2010 Science Exhibition at Aminiya School.

Dr Waheed launched a teaching aid donation programme at the school which has been initiated by Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Holiday Inn Malé.

Dr Waheed said he was encouraged that the private sector took initiative to support education in the Maldives and hoped the science fair would encourage students to learn more about science.

He added that teachers should encourage inquiry-based learning in all subjects.

The 2010 Science Exhibition will be held later this year in June.

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High fibre: the cable guys connecting the Maldives

The Maldives’ two main internet service providers (ISPs) have dramatically upgraded their speed and network capacity, potentially heralding the beginning of a connectivity ‘arms race’ – at least in the country’s capital.

The Maldives’ major telecommunications player, Dhiraagu, recently introduced home and business incarnations of a 10 Mbps (megabits per second) broadband ADSL package, an offering it claims “is the first time in the Maldives home users can experience speeds up to 10 Mbps.”

In comparison, the average broadband speed in the UK is 3.6 Mbps, according to the country’s communications watchdog Ofcom.

Dhiraagu also upgraded the accounts of its existing ADSL customers, doubling their download speeds and in many cases tripling download allowances without additional charges. The feedback from customers, says Dhiraagu’s Marketing & Communications Manager Mohamed Mirshan Hassan, has been “very encouraging.”

“We periodically review the service based on our analysis of customer demands,” he noted.

The move, surprisingly generous by the standards of any ISP, could be a reaction to the decision by relative newcomer Focus Infocom (a private company partnered with companies such as Wataniya and Singtel) to unroll ‘fibre to the home’ (FTTH) technology.

Until now the company has delivered internet services through cable suppliers Bnet and Medianet under the Raajje Online (ROL) brand, over coaxial cable.

“We have to pay the providers and we don’t get refunded for downtime,” explains Jinah Ibraheem, ROL’s head of sales. “The network can be quite congested and we receive the complaints.”

FTTH, essentially a fibre-optic cable laid to the customer’s very door, allows ROL offer dedicated internet services to customers at speeds up to 10Mbps, “with the potential to offer speed on demand if people need faster speeds like 20Mbps or even 50Mbps connections.”

Moreover the speed is symmetrical, making uploading as fast as downloading – a boon for people like photography hobbyists who need to upload pictures or movies to websites like Flickr or YouTube, or otherwise work online.

However unlike ADSL, which is older and more widespread, the price of entry for FTTH is high – ROL is currently charging a connection fee of Rf7500 (US$550), putting it out of reach for all but businesses and upmarket individuals, and existing cable customers who the company states on their website can upgrade without cost.

Jiinah acknowledges that ROL is catering to “a higher end of the market” with its FTTH offering, but notes that “with a dedicated 10Mbps cable you’re not sharing it with anyone else. With unlimited access you’re sharing from a single pool, but now people are moving back to limited packages because they want speed.”

In developed countries such as the UK, dedicated cables are extremely expensive because of the distances involved and are most commonly used only by businesses, which split the bandwidth across offices. FTTH is perhaps a rare advantage of Male’s congestion and relatively short distances.

If anything, FTTH is the triumph of a geographical information system that has been under development for 9-10 years, Jinah says, that is able to make sense of the jumble of cables buried under Male’: “There’s few records available and 3-4 companies putting cables into the ground – STELCO, the two cable providers, and Dhiraagu.”

While internet surfers in Male’ will be rejoicing at the prospect of further competition between the two ISPs, the outlook for connectivity in the islands is not so positive. Networking an island chain is an expensive proposition, with Dhiraagu the clear leader through its rollout of WiMAX – a technology that wirelessly connects the customer and the provider across the ‘last mile’, much like a high-powered WiFi connection, but suffers over long distances.

“For further rollout serivces we are not using ASDL technology,” explains Mirshan. “We are connecting 25 islands or so using WiMAX, which I would say is really a competing technology with 3G (the mobile data network).”

Jinah claims the speed of WiMAX “can be very slow, at least compared with broadband.”

ROL is only present on a limited number of islands, riding on the back of cable TV connections: “Dhiraagu been in this market for 21 years and we’ve only been here for seven,” he defends.

“It’s not going to be easy for us to start a business on the islands,” he admits, “but I’m happy to commit bandwidth [to the islands] for resellers to sell on to say 30-60 customers.”

Beyond commercial battling, both ISPs are attempting to build their brands and expand the market for internet services, particularly among the young. Dhiraagu leverages its massive mobile marketing machine and sponsorship of large sporting events, while ROL appears to be relying more on word-of-mouth among its many high-end users.

Jinah explains he is attempting to start an IT association in the country, with the eventual goal of transforming IT “into a third industry, after tourism and fishing.”

“Why not IT?” he asked. “We have many good quality IT graduates, and [institutions such as] the National Centre for Technology not really being used by the government.”

ROL is also considering how it can assist the country’s fledgling open source software community, as well as teach school children how to use the internet. But the legislation has a way to catch up.

‘I’ve spoken to the Chamber of Commerce about developing the industry,” Jinah says. “But there’s currently no copyright law and no cyber law, so for instance there’s no way to charge someone if they were to hack into the government.”

However Minister for Civil Aviation and Communication Mahmoud Razee is positive the government can lead an internet revolution.

“Internet linkages are vital because of the way we a spread geographically,” he explains. “We can use it to bring services closer to people, which is one of the reasons why we’re looking at e-government initiatives. People will be able to do things like apply for drivers licenses online, or request a birth or death certificate. At the same time we’re trying to reduce the amount of paper used by the government. However we have to work to get the internet connected to all islands.”

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New Ambassador of Sudan to the Maldives

New Sudanese Ambassador to the Maldives, Khidir Haroun Ahmed, presented his credentials to President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday.

President Nasheed and Ambassador Ahmed discussed possible areas of cooperation between the two countries, and focused on how the Maldives and Sudan could strengthen cooperation to combat climate change.

Ambassador Ahmed is also serving as ambassador to Sri Lanka and was former ambassador to the United States.

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EU’s Commissioner for Climate Action departs Maldives

Before her departure yesterday, European Union’s first Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, said doubters of climate change should come to the Maldives to see the true effects of climate change.

“It is very different to come to a place like here to see with your own eyes what climate change is all about,” she said.

She said it was necessary to find ways to improve sustainable development, and said President Mohamed Nasheed is “one of the leading voices” in the efforts to raise awareness on climate change.

President Nasheed said their visit to Sh. Komandoo was “very fruitful” and him and Hedegaard discussed issues of climate change on vulnerable countries like the Maldives.

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National debt easing, says Dr Shaheed

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed has told Miadhu that the Maldives’ national debt stood at 110% of GDP at the end of 2008 according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports.

Dr Shaheed said he is “not ashamed” to tell the truth about the country’s financial situation, because international financial institutions are monitoring the country’s external debts.

He said the country’s debt was due to the previous government’s extravagance in buying presidential yachts and offices. He added that this debt was the reason for the government reducing civil service salaries as they had no alternative.

Dr Shaheed said certain leaders of political parties are trying to spin the facts, contradicting the IMF’s reports.

Dr Shaheed said working with the international community and multilateral financial institutions is easing the country’s debt. The USA has readmitted the Maldives into the General System of Preferences, its duty-free quota system as well as signing an agreement with the US’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) which encourages companies to invest in the Maldives.

The Maldives also hopes to be admitted into the US’s development assistance project, Millennium Challenge Account, as well as the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.

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New rent regulation bill proposed in Parliament

A new bill has to regulate rent in Malé been proposed in Parliament by Independent MP Mohamed Nasheed, reports Miadhu.

Nasheed said the bill aims not to control rent, but to set certain standards for the real estate business.

Nasheed noted that in a time when human rights have become key in policy-making, this bill would protect the rights of both owners and tenants. The bill would also form a tribunal to arbitrate rent cases.

Most of the MPs supported the bill, which could help with overcrowding in Malé. But it was proposed that the bill also include rented offices and businesses, so it will not reduce the cost of goods and services.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali said the bill could potentially harm the real estate industry.

He said the government should not intervene, because fewer people would enter the market and fewer would construct new homes.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ahmed Hamza also said introducing the bill at this moment could hinder construction business, adding that the bill would present challenges to the free-market.

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Police arrests father and son with stolen electronic equipment

Police have arrested a father and his son with a quantity of allegedly stolen electronics in Kulhudhufushi of Haa Dhaalu
Atoll.

Police identified the two man as Mohamed Hussein, 54, and Adham Mohamed, 18, of Javahirumaage in Kulhudhufushi.

Police Sergeant Abdul Muhusin said the two men were arrested yesterday at 6:15pm.

Muhusin said police had discovered 34 mobile phones, two 500GB hard drives, 17 phone chargers, 4 CD players, 8 headsets, 6 phone batteries, 3 pen drives, 1 motor-bike remote, 1 knife, 1 mobile phone cover, 1 necklace with an ”Allah” logo, 1 ring, 1 calculator, 11 remotes, 1 radio, 1 speaker, 1 hand bag, 1 computer monitor and a USB cable.

Muhusin said the father had no police record, but his son had previously been arrested with ‘Dunlop’, a glue reportedly used for sniffing on some islands.

Police said the men were caught in a special operation led by Kulhudhufushi Police station.

Kulhudhufushi police station did not respond to Minivan News at time of press.

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Fraudulent party registrations force EC to issue fingerprint forms

The Elections Commission (EC) has released a new political party registration form to avoid a recurrent problem of people being registered for political parties without their knowledge.

President of the EC Fuad Thaufeeq said the commission had uncovered an estimated 900-1100 people registered to political parties without their knowledge, “from all political parties.”

Fuad said the commission had sent notice to all the political parties that they would not accept any other registration form than the new form.

”Before all the parties had their own registration forms,” Fuad said. ”Those forms only required the person’s name and identity card number.”

Fuad said the new form required the person’s fingerprint, two witnesses and their signature.

”If anyone complains about the registrations [from now on] we can check the fingerprint through the police fingerprint database,” he said. ”If a form is presented with the wrong fingerprint we can identify the person and charge him with forgery, giving false information and signing another person’s signature.”

He said that the commission was contemplating creating a law concerning false registration.

”We cannot charge anybody over the 900-1100 false registrations,” he said, ”but hereafter we can identify it and treat it as a serious issue.”

He said the new registration form was now effective.

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) MP Ahmed Mahloof said that he was pleased with the new procedure.

Mahloof claimed that there were many recent complaints by DRP members that they had been registered instead as members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

”They have stolen lots of our people,” he claimed. ”MDP would not even have a membership of 25,000 people.”

MDP MP Ahmed Easa said the new procedure was good and would avoid false registration.

Easa said MDP had received many complaints from people that they were registered in a political party without their knowledge.

”This form will make it more difficult for people to be registered in political parties,” he said.

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Doctor WHO: Celebrating World Health Day in Malé this weekend

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is celebrating World Health Day today with activities around the world, and the theme “urbanisation and health” which aims to improve urban equity gaps, the leading cause for many health problem’s in the world’s poor according to the WHO.

Past themes have been “working together for health” in 2006 which focused on the health workforce crisis; “international health society” in 2007, aiming to improve the first line of defence against public health emergencies; “protecting health from climate change” in 2008, which looked at the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations; and “save lives, make hospitals safer in emergencies” in 2009.

This year’s campaign 1000 cities, 1000 lives is bringing attention to the issues of urban health. The WHO believes “urbanization is one of the major threats to health in the twenty-first century.”

Urban health

Although the WHO recognises urban environments can provide “great opportunities for individuals and families to prosper,” they can also harm our health in many ways, if the infrastructure and lifestyle in these urban sectors aren’t improved.

Some of the challenges the WHO cites as being problematic in urban areas are “overcrowding; air pollution; rising levels of risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol; road traffic injuries; inadequate infrastructure, transport facilities, solid waste management systems; and insufficient access to health facilities in slum areas.”

According to the WHO, more than half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, something that has never before happened in our history. They note that about 34% of the total population of the WHO’s South-East Asia Region is urban.

This year’s World Health Day aims to promote finding solutions to the roots of urban health issues and to “build partnerships with multiple sectors of society to make cities healthier.”

But improving urban sectors does not just benefit health, but is an economically sound proposal. The WHO estimates that “every $1 spent on sanitation gives a return of US$ 9.10 in terms of prevention and treatment of illnesses. Improved transportation, infrastructure and greener technologies enhance urban quality of life, including fewer respiratory ailments and accidents and better health for all.”

WHO Representative to the Maldives Dr Jorge Mario Luna says the solution to many of the health issues exacerbated by overcrowding, pollution, inactivity and unhealthy diets, violence and injury is proper urban planning.

“Proper urban planning can promote healthy behaviours and safety through investment in active transport, designing areas to promote physical activity and passing regulatory controls on tobacco and food safety. Improving urban living conditions in the areas of housing, water and sanitation will go a long way to mitigating health risks. Building inclusive cities that are accessible and age-friendly will benefit all urban residents.”

He added that “such actions do not necessarily require additional funding, but commitment to redirect resources to priority interventions, thereby achieving greater efficiency.”

Malé Health Fair

With this in mind, this year’s campaign is promoting ‘greener’ and healthier lifestyle options, which will be  showcased in Malé’s Health Fair, to be held on Saturday 10 April from 4:00-6:30 pm, and then from 8:00-10:30 pm in different locations around the city.

There will be activities held in Ameenee Park, Children’s Park, the Social Center, and other locations around Malé, Hulhumalé and Vilingili.

Some of the activities include free sporting events like dodge-ball and gymnastics; public awareness demonstrations on first aid and sanitation; food preparation counselling for kids; quizzes and puzzles; medical check-ups at ADK hospital; and distribution of information on living a healthier life.

On Friday 9 April there will be a ‘bicycle round’ where senior government officials and other volunteers will join in bicycle round of Malé.

The ‘round’ will start at the Artificial Beach at 4:00 pm and will follow a westerly route, for about half an hour, along Boduthakurufaan Magu, ending at Licence Sarahahdhu near IGMH.

A full schedule of events will be available at the WHO website and the Ministry of Health and Family website from tomorrow.

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