Category: News in Brief

ADK hospital extends lease, signals US$23 million expansion

Male’s privately-owned ADK hospital has extended its lease by 50 years and announced a US$23 million to expand services.

The hospital’s Chairman Ahmed Nashid told local media the expansion project would be partly funded using a loan from the German Development Bank, and would double the hospital’s capacity.

The expansion will include four operating theatres, critical care facility, a senior citizen’s unit, cardiac laboratory, MRI machine and a power house, ADK Managing Director Ahmed Afaal told local media.

The hospital will also construct a health science school and grant 10 scholarships providing board and lodging for students coming to Male from the islands.

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President inaugurates Hulhumale seaport terminal

President Dr Mohamed Waheed has inaugurated a new seaport terminal on Hulhumale.

In a statement on the President’s Office website, Waheed declared the opening of the port would “bring vast progress” to Hulhumale.

“The President expressed his hopes that distribution of products manufactured in Hulhumale, to other parts of the country, and exportation of those products would be made much easier in the future,” read the statement.

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President meets with Japanese internal affairs, communications minister

Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Yoshita Shindo has today met with President Dr Mohamed Waheed in Male’ to discuss the latest political and economic developments in the Maldives.

Among the discussions, Dr Waheed pledged his commitment to ensuring a transparent presidential election later this year.  He also discussed the possibilities for future cooperation in helping the Maldives with its commitments to developing renewable energy and other sustainable projects, the President’s Office has said.

President Waheed also thanked Minister Shindo for the assistance provided by the Japanese government to the Maldives in the areas of education, telecommunications and broadcasting.

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Foreign investors scared away: PPM

Foreign investors turning away from the Maldives in favour of more stable political environments in the region, such as Mauritius and Seychelles, leader of the Progressive Party of the Maldives and presidential candidate Abdulla Yameen has said.

Speaking at rally on Saturday, Yameen said investors were overlooking the Maldives.

“With our present woes no one wants to invest here. They are looking at Seychelles and Caracas. No foreign investor wants to come to the Maldives,” local media reported him as saying.

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Bangladeshi national stabbed in Addu City

Police have reported that a Bangladeshi national living in Addu City was stabbed yesterday (June 29).

Police said the incident occurred last night at about 10:50pm, and that the man was stabbed twice in the back.

The man was admitted to Hithadhoo Regional Hospital for treatment and was released this morning, police said.

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PPM only party who can secure peace, investor confidence: Former Home Minister Dr Jameel

Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, running mate of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate MP Abdulla Yameen, has said ensuring peace and safety in the Maldives will be vital to ensuring economic progress following September’s election.

Speaking on the island of Dhuvaafaru in Raa Atoll on Thursday (June 28), Dr Jameel was quoted by Sun Online as saying that the PPM was the only party able to secure peace and safety in the country required to boost foreign investor confidence.

He also praised the PPM’s founder, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, for his efforts in trying to establish peace across the country during his time in office.

Dr Jameel said the former president had been able to attract major multinational companies and foreign leaders to the country due to the culture of “peace, solidarity and obedience that existed among the Maldivian people” during his rule.

Gayoom was the autocratic ruler of the Maldives for thirty years before being unseated by a coalition backing Mohamed Nasheed in the second round of the country’s first multi-party democratic elections in November 2008.

Dr Jameel’s claims were made after the PPM earlier this month accused President Waheed of ignoring the advice of his coalition government by abruptly terminating a US$511 million airport development contract with India-based GMR without holding talks with the company to first resolve the issue.

The PPM’s coalition partners later hit back by accusing the party of making “contradictory statements” regarding the decision to terminate GMR’s concession agreement, also claiming that its senior leadership tried to terminate the deal without discussion or following due process.

Dr Jameel, who served as home minister under the current coalition backing President Dr Mohamed Waheed, was dismissed from the role in May after announcing his intention to support MP Yameen’s campaign against the incumbent.

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Hulhumale’ terminal port inaugurated by President Waheed

President Dr Mohamed Waheed inaugurated a new port terminal on Hulhumale’ Thursday (June 27), praising the development for the potential impact it will have on the island’s economy.

During a speech given at the inauguration, the president said that the new port formed part of his government’s commitment to providing basic facilities to Hulhumale’, as well as making it easier for the public and businesses to transport goods to and from the island.

According to the President’s Office website, Dr Waheed also underlined the importance of having a port that was joined by land to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) – the country’s main airstrip.

He therefore expressed hope that the port would not only lead to a rise in the number of imported goods via both sea and land, but also help further development on Hulhumale’ itself.

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Alliance Française to host free World Music Day concert in Male’ this evening

Alliance Française Maldives (AFM) will be celebrating World Music Day this evening with a free concert bringing together French and Maldivian artists for three hours of live performances at Male’ City Hall on Majeedhee Magu.

Starting from 9:00pm tonight, organisers at AFM have promised the public a mixture of musical styles ranging from rock and jazz to more traditional boduberu.

Alliance Française is an NGO based in Male’ since 2009, teaching the French language and giving an insight into French culture, and promoting cultural diversity.

The NGO teaches French in public and private schools, in resorts, and conducts evening French classes for adults in the National Library.

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Ten former addicts released after completing drug rehabilitation program

Eight people were awarded certificates by the Drug Court this week upon completion of a drug rehabilitation programme and released with suspended sentences.

According to Sun Online, of the 10 who completed the program and were released, certificates were awarded to Hassan Daood of Boakulhandhurumaage, Lhaviyani Hinnavaru; Hassan Rasheed of G. Life; Mohamed Faseeh of Faseemaage, Raa Hinguraidhoo; Ibrahim Shafeeu of H. Lobby; Muslim Shakir of Janavareege, Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo; Muhiyyuddheen Abdul Gafoor of Gulaabeege, Baa Kendhoo; Ali Rasheed of Ranvilaage in Haa Dhaalu Hanimaadhoo; and Abdullah Zareer of Ma. Kandooge.

The other two could not participate in the ceremony as they were out of Male’ at the time. The certificates were presented by Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir, Judge Abdul Sattar Abdul Hameed and Judge Husain Shahamath Mahir.

Speaking at the ceremony, Judge Mahaz revealed that the court had sentenced 275 people to rehabilitation, out of which 19 people had been arrested and sent back to jail.

The Drug Court was established in 2012 by the new Drug Act passed by parliament in December 2011, emphasising treatment and rehabilitation while moving away from taking a punitive approach against “small-scale” drug offences.

The court commenced its first trial in August 2012. In May this year, the court was temporarily forced to send addicts back to jail with government detox centers at full capacity.

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