President Mohamed Nasheed has established the Office of Programmes and Projects (OPP), which is intended to prevent poor planning and project management.
The OPP will also be used to convince donors and international financial institutions that funded projects will be subject to fewer delays, quality issues and cost overruns.
The office will also centralise the administration of projects and programmes in a single department.
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(0)The President has said in his weekly radio address that he government will take “all possible measures” to prevent disruption to the peace and development of the country.
Referring to the weekend protests sparked by violent disagreements in parliament last week, President Mohamed Nasheed said “disrespect” of parliaments code of conduct, fights and offensive language would lower the institution in the eyes of the public.
“As much disagreement as there may be, it is my request that the People’s Majlis carry out its functions without one member assaulting another,” he said.
(0)Dislikes(0)A 76-year-old man suffered 100% burns to his body in a fire this morning at his house on the island of Ungufaaru in Raa Atoll.
Police said the fire was reported at 5:30am, after the man tried to light a cigarette while there was a gas leak in the kitchen.
He was transferred to Male’ for medical treatment from Ungufaaru Regional Hospital.
(0)Dislikes(0)President Mohamed Nasheed met yesterday with the Director of Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), Lieutenant General (Retired) Ed Smith, at the President’s Office.
They spoke of ways to address regional and global security issues, and the APCSS Conference Program, which brings current leaders, decision makers and subject experts in Asia Pacific to discuss contemporary security concerns.
President Nasheed said the Maldives faced many challenges during the transition process of consolidating democracy, and the government was committed to form an inclusive government.
Lt Smith said APCSS would continue to assist the Maldives with opportunities to participate in its conferences and executive education programs.
(0)Dislikes(0)President of the Human Rights Commission Maldives (HRCM) Ahmed Saleem left for Geneva to take part in the 23rd session of the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to be held in Geneva from 22-25 March, reports Miadhu.
There will be 169 participants in the conference, representing National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from all around the world.
Issues concerning NHRIs will be discussed, including challenges and developments in the engagement with regional human rights mechanisms, challenges for NHRIs in monitoring international obligations, the role of NHRIs in the protection of gender/women and child related issues, developments on the UN Draft Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training, human rights and business, and HIV related issues.
There will also be regional meetings, recommendations from international human rights bodies and discussions on emerging developments in human rights.
(0)Dislikes(0)The Human Rights Commission Maldives (HRCM) has begun a two day training program for Teacher Educators of College of Higher Education’s Faculty of Education.
The program will be held on 23-24 March and is aimed at promoting human rights awareness among teachers and in schools.
The inauguration of the program this morning was attended by State Minister for Education Dr Ahmed Ali Manik, who highlighted the importance of right to education.
The program is part of HRCM’s efforts to create a human rights culture in Maldivian schools, and it will focus on topics such as the importance of human rights education, gender equality in schools and creating a human rights friendly school environment.
Twenty-four teachers will participate in the program.
(0)Dislikes(0)Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is once again the political party with most members in the country, reports Miadhu.
Last Tuesday, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) had claimed membership majority with a total of 32,539.
According to Miadhu, the Elections Commission (EC) said MDP reached 33,270 members and had an additional 3,500 forms waiting for verification.
(1)Dislikes(0)It was decided yesterday in the Cabinet meeting that the Maldives should accede to the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, also known as the New York Convention.
The New York Convention was adopted by the UN in 1958 which deals with international arbitration; a means of alternative dispute resolution in the areas of international trade and commercial transactions.
According to the Constitution, the Cabinet must send the matter to Parliament. The treaty will only come into force if and when it is approved by the People’s Majlis.
Cabinet members noted that the Convention would provide legislative standards for the recognition of arbitration agreements.
It was also suggested that accession to the Convention would create an “investor-friendly environment” in the Maldives.
(0)Dislikes(0)President Mohamed Nasheed has established Malé Health Services Corporation Limited, a government-owned company with one hundred percent government shares.
The company was formed to “ensure economic and social development” and to provide “adequate health care” for Maldivians.
The corporation will establish and maintain health care facilities in the Malé region.
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