Author: Minivan News

Sewerage systems available to 80 percent population by 2013: President

President Mohamed Nasheed today announced that 80 percent of the Maldives population of 350,000 will have access to proper sewage systems by next year.

The President spoke today at the official launch of the start sewerage system established in Mahibadhoo.

Modern sewage systems and liquid waste disposals are baseline requirements for public health safety, the government maintains.

When his administration took office in 2008, said the President, only 22 per cent of the people had adequate sewage systems. Over the past three years that figure has climbed to 50 percent, he claimed.

The government is also pursuing projects with international donors to guarantee clean water on islands, particularly those whose reservoirs were contaminated during the 2004 tsunami.

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President cancels Malaysia trip over political unrest at home

President Mohamed Nasheed has cancelled a scheduled trip to Malaysia for the International Conference on the Global Movement of Moderates.

The President was scheduled to depart for Kuala Lampur last Tuesday, January 17, 2011.

The trip was cancelled due to ongoing political unrest in capital Male’. Opposition supporters have protested the detention of opposition party members over an alleged “hate speech” pamphlet, as well as the arrest and detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed, for the past six evenings.

Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair has said the President was prepared to address the conference before choosing to cancel his participation.

Finance Minister Mohamed Shihab will represent the Maldives at the conference in his stead.

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Delegates discuss maritime security

President Mohamed Nasheed has met with the Indian and Sri Lankan delegates in reference to the Trilateral Discussion in maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.

Delegates met separately with the President.

The discussions addressed regional maritime security concerns and possible solutions. The President highlighted the need for a regional strategy to address maritime security threats, such as piracy and drug trafficking

In June, international specialists informed Minivan News that following two attacks that month off of India’s southern coast, the Maldives’ waters were notably at risk.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) however has maintained that the Maldives is not under direct threat from Somalian pirates.

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Cabinet leases two uninhabited islands for resort development

The Cabinet has decided to lease two uninhabited islands for resort development to the party currently operating Kolhumadulu Thimarafushi Domestic Airport.

During today’s discussion, the Cabinet noted that leasing uninhabited islands for resort development would help recover the cost of developing the airport last year.

The government last year reclaimed 31 hectares of land for airport construction.

Cabinet members also concluded that opening new resorts is also expected to promote industrial growth and increase job opportunities for locals.

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Dhiraagu shares to sell on Maldives stock exchange

Local telecommunications provider Dhiraagu will sell shares to the public via the Maldives Stock Exchange (MSE) starting next Thursday.

Government shares have meanwhile been sold to all applicants.

Of its 11.4 million shares, Dhiraagu has sold 41 percent under the Initial Public Offering (IPO) at a rate of Rf80 (US$5.2). The IPO became effective on December 25, 2011.

The government lately released 48 percent of its shares, which had a value of approximately Rf376 million (US$24 million). Of those shares, 15 percent were set to be sold and 4.7 million have been sold, reports Haveeru.

Most government shares were purchased by the Pension Administration Office, the State Trading Organisation (STO) and Allied Insurance.

Foreign investors may also purchase Dhiraagu shares.

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Maldivian Air drops three flights from weekly schedule

Maldivian flights to Fuvahmulah have been reduced to four days a week due to a decrease in demand for passage to the single-island atoll.

Maldivian previously operated daily flights due to an increased demand during the holiday season of October through December.

The new airline officially began operating scheduled flights to Fuvah Mulah’s newly opened airport in November 2011.

Flights are now scheduled for Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, Haveeru reports. Additional flights may be added according to passenger demand.

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Kanditheemu islanders suspect sorcery at remote site

An area believed to be a sorcery site has been found in Shaviyani Atoll Kanditheemu, raising the islanders’ level of speculation of sorcery practices.

Kanditheemu Island Council has told local media that an old man found a suspect area on the island jungle’s south side.

Council officials confirmed that the area had been found, but said no official report had been made to the council.

Officials noted that curious islanders found flowers supposedly used to cast spells at the site.

Although the council maintained that fear of sorcery was not a serious issue on the island, it noted that a Facebook group alleging that six people had had spells cast on them had been created to counter the spread of sorcery, local media reports.

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President inspects Gulhi Falhu

President Mohamed Nasheed has visited Gulhi Fallhu, a reclaimed area of 50 hectares to be developed into an industrial-residential area.

The project originally stated that 2500 houses would be built in the area.

Global Projects Development Limited (GPD) is running the operation in conjunction with Gulhifalhu Industrial Zone Limited (GIZL).

Since the project began in March 2011 a foundation for a mosque has been laid and a port opened.

During his visit, the President examined the progress of the residential flats, the mosque and pre-school planned for Gulhi falhu.

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