Author: Minivan News

EPA confiscates birds on Thilafushi

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confiscated birds of two species held captive on industrial island Thilafushi.

An EPA statement said some birds that had been held captive and there was evidence of wing-clipping, a practice to keep birds from flying off.

Officials told Haveeru they would also check Hulhumale for more captive birds. He said a wider search conducted by police and councilors will inspect distant islands as well.

According to the EPA, 70 different bird species are protected in the Maldives, most of them since 2003. They include the Crab Plover, the Lesser Noddy, the Purple Heron and the Red-Footed Booby. Among the species confiscated on Thilafushi was the Catlle Egret.

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Local band selected to play at South Asian Band Festival in Delhi

An 11-member band “The Maldivian” has been selected to participate in the 5th South Asian Band Festival (SABF) in New Delhi on December 2-3.

The band has been performing for last 10 years, is led by Composer Schaaz Saeed, who was awarded the Enchanter ‘Feature Film Best Original Score’ this year by the President of Maldives.

The group was also engaged for composing and performing the theme song of the recently concluded SAARC Summit in Maldives as well as the cultural programmes in the State Banquet, Foreign Minister’s official dinner and the Heads of States’ Spouse Program.

The band was selected to play at the festival by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and cultural NGO SEHER.

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ACC approves India-backed housing project

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has allowed the government to proceed with a 500-unit housing project in Gaaf Dhaal atoll Thinadhoo and Male. Indian contractor OII will oversee the project.

The ACC had asked the government to halt the project on Thursday after receiving public complaints about the bidding process. Its investigation, however, found no acts of corruption and has approved the project.

The project is funded by a US$40 million loan provided by India’s EXIM Bank, which requires that the project is made open for Indian contractors only. Six Indian companies had submitted bids.

Under the project, housing units will be built at the Maafannu Boduge land plot, the former VTC land plot located on Alikilegefaanu Magu, and the land plot where debris is dumped.

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MJA concerned over MNBC’s reporting DhiFM to police

Maldives Journalist Association (MJA) has expressed concern that the Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation (MNBC) had taken private radio station DhiFM to police, after DhiFM switched to a live feed of the MNBC One 8:00pm bulletin on November 11.

The MJA said that the decision “might turn the media against each other” and that it would “be more peaceful” to resolve the matter through the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).

The MJA noted that DhiFM has apologised to MNBC and said it would “be better to resolve the issue without the police investigating it as a criminal offence.”

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Parliament rejects formation of Women and Children’s Affairs committee

A resolution to create a parliamentary committee on Women and Children’s Affairs was voted down in today’s session.

The resolution, submitted by Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam, was approved by 26 of 55 MPs and rejected by 29. There was one absention.

According to Haveeru, some members justified their rejection on a lack of precedent–Parliament does not have permanent committees for specialised groups–and said that admitting one such group plans would require plans be made for fishermen and farmers.

Others pointed out that the government does not have a specific ministry for women and children.

A few MPs said one more permanent committee would hinder Parliament’s work.

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Addu City Council to receive second largest council budget in 2012

Addu City Council will receive Rf69.3 million (US$4.5 million) from the proposed 2012 State Budget, second only to Male’ City Council which is allocated Rf140.5 million. (US$9.5 million).

Local councils will receive Rf1.1 billion from next year’s proposed state budget of Rf14 billion.

Councils will also receive Rf42.6 million to run pre-schools under their remit.

At Rf762 million employee expenses is the most costly item on the list. The functioning of council secretariats has been allocated Rf294 million.

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Three companies to compete for health insurance scheme

Allied Insurance, Sri Lanka Insurance and Amana Takaful are contending to provide universal health insurance for all Maldivians under Public Private Partnership.

The three companies submitted applications after the Finance Ministry tendered the plan to insure all Maldivians by January 2012 on October 20 this year.

The Finance Ministry’s October 20 announcement stated that the chosen company would have a 40 percent government share and a 60 percent private share. Service providers will fund customer claims and billings, while the government will cover insurance premiums.

The chosen service provider will be expected to set up an information center on each inhabited island across the Maldives.

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President confers national awards of honour, recognition

President Mohamed Nasheed conferred national awards of honour and recognition at a special function at Dharubaaruge on Sunday night.

Recipients of this year’s awards of honour were given a shield of honour, a badge of honour and commemorative plaques while winners of recognition awards received certificates and commemorative plaques.

The two individuals who received the honour award were Mohamed Yousuf for his contribution to education and Mohamed Ismail Fulhu for his contribution to raising health awareness.

Recipients of the national award of recognition were MP ‘Colonel’ Mohamed Nasheed in the area of Dhivehi literature (oratory skills); Ahmed Anwar in the area of education; Ali Rasheed in the area of health (traditional medicine); Husnu Su’ood in the area of legal service; Prof. Hassan Uqail in the area of innovation; Mohamed Ali Fulhu in the area of arts and crafts (boat building); Abdul Haris Haaroon in the area of arts and crafts (boat building); Abdul Rahman Moosa in the area of arts and crafts (lacquer work); Abdul Hameed Abdul Ghafoor in the area of sports; Abdulla Amir in the area of sports; Rafiath Rameeza in the area of performing arts (singing); Niuma Mohamed in the area of performing arts (feature film and drama acting); Jadulla Ismail in the area of applied arts (fashion designing); and Prop Pvt. Ltd. in the area of construction.

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Noonu atoll councilor arrested for drug possession

Councillor Nasrulla Mohamed of Miladhoo in Noonu Atoll was arrested last night in the capital Male’ for alleged drug possession.

Mohamed, a member of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was arrested with two others at the Dolphin Restaurant. Haveeru reports that Abdulla Habib, who ran for the council position in February, was among those arrested.

Police Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shiyam told Minivan News that illegal drugs were visible near the individuals when they were apprehended.

The three individuals are currently being held in police custody and awaiting a court verdict.

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