Category: News in Brief

Construction of 100 housing units in Thulhaadhoo to begin

The foundations for 100 housing units have been laid down on the island of Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll in an attempt to alleviate housing difficulties on the island.

Local media reported that the project, which includes a total of 300 units, is to begin shortly and is expected to be completed within two years.

“As Housing is a big problem in Thulhaadhoo, former President Nasheed said he will reclaim land on Thulhaadhoo and that he will make the island habitable for 10,000 people.

“17 hectares were reclaimed and large stones were placed under that project,” Thulhaadhoo Council President Ahmed Rasheed was quoted as saying in local media.

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Police officers find their names included on party registries against their knowledge

The Maldives Police Service have revealed that a number of its officers have had their names unknowingly included in certain political party membership registers.

Police Spokesperson Chief Inspector Hassan Haneef told local media on Thursday (March 14) that an unspecified number of police staff had been registered to political parties without their knowledge.

A tweet posted by Commissioner of Police Abdulla Riyaz on Thursday said that Assistant Commissioner of Police Ali Rasheed’s name was also found to be listed on a parties registry without his knowledge.

Article 69 (c) of the Police Act prohibits policemen from registering to political parties, being directly involved in political activities, and financially contributing to a such parties, local media reported.

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Ahmed Mohamed appointed acting minister of finance and treasury

Economic Development Minister Ahmed Mohamed has been appointed acting minister of finance and treasury in place of Abdulla Jihad, the President’s Office has announced.

No reason was given for the decision to appoint Ahmed Mohamed to the role.

Both Ahmed Mohamed and Abdulla Jihad were not responding to calls from Minivan News at time of press.

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Maldives National University establishes postgrad research centre

The Maldives National University (MNU) announced the establishment of its Postgraduate Research Centre and strategic plan for 2013-2017.

The centre was inaugurated by President Waheed Hassan Manik in the university’s auditorium.

During the ceremony, Waheed announced a plan to introduce a Presidential Postgraduate Research Fellowship, however due to the lack of funds, only one fellowship is currently being established, reports local media.

Waheed urged that the knowledge spread by the university “does not contradict the principles of our country, religion, nationhood and culture”.

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Two men deny forcing 14 year-old girl into child prostitution

Two men have denied charges of forcing a 14 year-old girl into child prostitution, the Criminal Court heard on Monday (March 11).

Ibrahim Manik of Heylhi, South Hulhudhoo and Hussain Manik of Hikiunimaage, S. Hulhudhoo in Addu Atoll, were accused of forcing the girl to “attend” to one Maldivian and four foreign men, local media reported.

The penalty for a person convicted of sexually abusing a child is 20 to 25 years imprisonment.

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Managing Director of Male’ International Airport Limited appointed

Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem has been appointed as the Managing Director of Male’ International Airport Limited (MIAL), local media has reported.

President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik told local media that foreign experts are to be employed as the Chief Operations Officer and Chief Finance Officer at MIAL – established by the government to manage Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

The President told local media that both short and media term development plans for the airport have been noted, and an advisory committee has been formed in order to move forward with them.

Waheed claimed that flight delays have been reduced “by a record level” and that the dollar shortage issue was currently being solved through income from the airport.

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Authorities plan 14-storey court building

A 14-storey building used to house the Maldives’ superior courts is to be designed by Riyan Private Limited for a total of MVR 470,000 (US$30,519).

An official from the Judiciary Media Unit told local media that the Criminal Court, Civil Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court and Drug Court are to be transferred into the building once it is complete.

Riyan Private Limited has 62 days to design the building, which is expected to help alleviate space constraints faced by the courts, local media has reported.

The building is planned to be built on plot number 378, near Aa Sahara Cemetery in Male’.

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President Waheed appoints new President’s Office, Maldives Polytechnic roles

President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has appointed a new President’s Office under secretary and a chief executive officer at Maldives Polytechnic.

Adnan Haleem was yesterday announced to be taking up a chief executive officer role at Maldives polytechnic, according to the President’s Office. Meanwhile, Ali Hasham has been appointed as under secretary at the President’s Office.

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Teachers forced to work overtime without pay: Teachers Association

The Teachers Association has voiced concern over claims that teachers are being forced to work overtime by certain schools without pay.

President of the Teachers Association, Athif Abdul Hakeen, told local media that teachers are only paid 8 hours worth of overtime regardless of the length of their extra working hours.

In accordance to Article 37 (b) of the Employment Act, Athif told local media that it is mandatory for all employers to pay their staff for the time spent working beyond scheduled working hours.

“I would like to tell all heads of schools to refrain from forcing any staff to work for more than 8 hours.

“If they are to work more than the mentioned 8 hours, they shall be paid for their overtime work, as mentioned by Article 60 of the Civil Service Act,” Athif was quoted as saying in SunOnline.

The Teachers Association president claimed that some schools have threatened teachers who refuse to work overtime, stating that ‘they might have to think twice’ about how they fill out their appraisal forms.

Education Minister Asim Ahmed told local media that claims by the Teachers Association regarding a lack of overtime payment are lies that have no basis.

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