Category: News in Brief

MTCC introduces new Hulhumalé – Malé ferry schedule for Ramadan

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has introduced two new ferries and increased ferry services between Malé and suburb Hulhumalé during peak hours for the month of Ramdan.

According to the new ferry schedule, ferries will run every five minutes between 8:15am – 9:10am and 2:00 pm and 2:20 pm on workdays, and between 10am – 11:15am and 2pm – 2:20pm on weekends.

At other times, ferries will depart every 15 minutes.

Residents of Hulhumalé have complained about delay and overcrowding on ferries.

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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse arrives in the Maldives

President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapakse and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapakse arrived in the Maldives on an official visit this afternoon.

President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen greeted the Rajapakses on arrival at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA).

A bugle call was sounded on Rajapakse’s arrival in Malé and a 21 gun salute was offered. The Maldives National Defense Forces (MNDF) offered a guard of honor on his arrival.

According to the Maldives President’s Office, Yameen and Rajapakse held official talks on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The two countries signed three agreements on health cooperation, economic development and search and rescue operations.

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Swell waves flood Thimarafushi airport runway

The Thaa Atoll Thimarafushi Airport runway has been hit by high swell waves.

According to Thimarafushi Council President Hussein Shareef, waves flooded approximately 150- 250 foot along the runway and covered it with waste.

The airport fence was also destroyed, he said.

Only one flight was scheduled out of Thimarafushi today. The flight departed at 9:40 am before the waves hit.

According to Channel News Maldives (CNM), part of Rathafandhoo Island in southern Gaaf Dhall atoll also was also flooded with swell waves this morning.

Islanders told CNM that water had come up to one feet in some areas and an area measuring 700 foot on the north eastern side of the island.

Several islands in the Maldives have reported flooding from swell or udha waves since the onset of the wet season in June.

Udha is a common phenomenon in the Maldives, particularly during the south-west monsoon, and is often associated with changes in ‘Nakaiy’ – the fortnightly intervals of the Maldives’ unique weather calendar.

A local environmentalist familiar with the Nakaiy system said Udha waves are connected to the moon, gravity, and changes in winds and said it is a completely normal natural phenomenon but that it could harm islands which are already eroding.

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Criminal Court detains two individuals caught with MVR0.9 million drug haul for five days

The Criminal Court on Tuesday extended pre-trial detention of two individuals caught with MVR900,000 (US$58,366) worth of illicit drugs to five days.

The Drug Enforcement Department (DED) caught the two individuals on arrival from the airport to Malé Monday. They are Maldivian nationals aged 48 and 31 years.

The police believe the drugs were trafficked via air.

According to the police, the 31-year-old was accused of stealing money and documents from fifth floor apartment on Malé’s Dhafeena Building in December 2011.

On Tuesday, the DED also searched both of their residences and found documents related to the drug haul.

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Chinese companies express interest in Hulhumalé – Malé bridge

Three Chinese companies have submitted detailed expressions of interest in building a bridge between capital Malé and surburb Hulhumalé, Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed has said.

They are Dongfeng, China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC), and Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), he said.

Although 19 parties from 8 countries had expressed interest following an investment forum in Singapore, only three submitted detailed expressions of interest.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Saeed also said the documents will be evaluated in July and expressed hope work could commence in December this year.

President Abdulla Yameen is also seeking investment in four more infrastructure projects. They are development of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), development of northern Ihavandhippolhu atoll, relocation of the Malé port to Thilafushi Island, and the development of a youth city on Hulhumalé.

Saeed said the government is in discussion with investors on the relocation of Malé port and the project will give the Maldives a competitive edge over other ports in the region.

Reclamation work for Hulhumalé Youth City will begin within weeks and revetments will be installed by December 2015, he said.

He further said a technical team has been set up at the President’s Office to facilitate investment in oil exploration.

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Police launch new information management system

The Maldives Police Services has launched a new information management system today.

Speaking at a ceremony held to inaugurate the Police Information Management System (PIMS), Commissioner of Police Hussein Waheed said the new system will facilitate investigations and introduces new services.

The system facilitates the handling and storing of information regarding investigations and evidence, and dramatically reduces paper costs at the office, he said.

The Police Management Board also held discussions on posting police officers on all inhabited islands on Tuesday.

According to a police statement, the board aims to increase or limit officers depending on the population and number of crimes. The size and amount of services available at police stations will also vary depending on these factors.

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Employment Tribunal spent MVR1.2 million in excess of approved budget

The Employment Tribunal spent MVR1.2 million (US$77,821) in excess of the parliament-approved budget in 2013, the institution’s audit report for 2013 made public today has revealed.

An annual budget of MVR5.7 million (US$369,649) for the tribunal had been approved by parliament.

“The overspent amount was facilitated by a budget extension of MVR1,251,429 made to the Tribunal by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury. However, it was observed that the parliamentary approval for this budget extension was not obtained as per clause 32(a) of the Public Finance Act,” the report stated.

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Police seize drugs with street value in excess of MVR900,000

Police have arrested two male suspects – aged 31 and 48 – with drugs worth over MVR900,000 (US$58,365) in street value.

According to police, the 31-year-old suspect had a criminal record for committing a robbery in 2011.  The pair were arrested on Monday (June 23) based on intelligence information suggesting their involvement in drug trafficking.

The drugs were found in their possession when the suspects were searched near the Hulhumalé ferry terminal upon their arrival in Male’ from the airport. Further evidence was discovered after police searched their residence with a court warrant.

The drugs are believed to have been smuggled through the airport.

The Criminal Court yesterday extended the remand detention of the suspects to five days.

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ICD to assist in strengthening Maldives Hajj Corporation

The Islamic Development Bank has confirmed its support in strengthening the Maldives Hajj Corporation, reports the Islamic Ministry.

The Islamic Corporation For The Development of Private Sector (ICD) – a branch of the IDB – informed the government of its willingness to assist Maldivian pilgrims journey to Mecca.

Discussions on the matter was held during Islamic Minister Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed’s visit to Saudi Arabia to attent the IDB’s annual gathering.

During the visit talks were also held on broadening ICD’s business ventures in the Maldives, and provision of budget support to the country.

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