Category: News in Brief

STO expresses interest in holding events at Equatorial Convention Centre

The State Trading Organisation (STO) has expressed interest in holdings its events at the newly-built Equatorial Convention Centre (ECC) in Hithadhoo, according to newspaper Haveeru.

STO Managing Director Shahid Ali said the ECC could be used for several events and functions.

“We intend to hold our next Dealers Meeting and the Makita Fair at the convention centre,” he said.

The EXX could be marketed in a similar manner to the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMIHC) in the Sri Lanka, Shahid said.

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Police conducting special operation for Eid holidays

Police are conducting a special operation during the ongoing Eid holidays to maintain security in the capital Male’ while a large portion of the population is out of the island.

The operation involves questioning people who are out after midnight and checking vehicles as well as providing security to closed office buildings.

Police have appealed to the public to take extra precaution to keep homes and offices safe during the holiday.

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Male’ quietens over Eid-ul-Adha

The pace of life in the normally bustling Maldivian capital has slowed as the country celebrates Eid-ul-Adha.

While many local residents travel abroad during the week-long holiday, this year many government and civil service workers have also travelled south to Addu to work on the SAARC Summit.

In his weekly radio address, President Mohamed Nasheed extended Eid greetings to the people of the Maldives, and all the Maldivian pilgrims in Mecca.

¨Eid-ul-Adha is an occasion to spread compassion and happiness. It is a day to help and care for people in need,” President Nasheed said.

The President also sent Eid greetings to the leaders of Islamic countries and to the Heads of Islamic Organisations.

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Government offers solar power to 29 islands

The government is soliciting bids from solar power companies to power 29 islands, which are facing power generation difficulties.

Many small islands have small power stations, however power production for small communities is expensive with disproportionate returns.

According to the government gazette, the solar power project will be established in Haa Alif atoll Molhadhoo, Baarah, Thuraakunu, Muraidhoo and Thakandhoo; Haa Dhaal atoll Hirimaradhoo; Shaviyani atoll Maaungoodhoo, Lhaimagu and Noomaraa; Noonu atoll Henbadhoo, Foddhoo and Magoodhoo; and Raa atoll Fainu and Inguraidhoo.

The project will also be carried out in Meemu atoll Dhiggaru and Raiymandhoo; Faafu atoll Dharanboodhoo; Dhaalu atoll Bandidhoo and Maaen’boodhoo; Thaa atoll Madifushi, Gaadhihfushi, Buruni, Dhiyamigili and Thimarafushi; Laamu atoll Gaadhoo, Isdhoo and Kunahandhoo; and the Mathimaradhoo ward and Mukurimagu road in Gan.

The Maldives currently aims to cut carbon emissions by 60 percent using solar power. A proposal submitted by the Renewable Energy Investment Office is currently open for debate on an online crowd-sourcing forum.

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50 percent of Second Chancers employed: Home Ministry

Nearly half of the 300 inmates released under the Second Change Programme are employed or earning incomes, the Home Ministry has reported.

Speaking to program participants at the Islamic Centre last evening, State Home Minister Mohamed ‘Monaza’ Naeem said any convicts who violate any of the 25 conditions for their release would be sent back to jail, Haveeru reports.

In September, six convicts released under the program were apprehended for allegedly dealing and using drugs. Three were sent to detoxification centers.

Most of the program’s convicts are living in Male’ (217), while 113 are living in the atolls. Only 100 participants attended last evening’s program, designed to give advice.

Naeem was disappointed in the turnout, and said he expected a better attendance next time, reports Haveeru.

The government intends to continue the program, partially designed to relieve the Maldives’ prison system from overcapacity. Program participants were encouraged to disregard criticism of the program, previously expressed by the Adhaalath Party.

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New Rf500 notes enter circulation

New Rf500 notes will be introduced into national circulation today, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has announced.

The new note bears the signature of Governor Fazeel Najib of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). The signature and a date change are the only changes to the Rf500 note, Haveeru reports.

The new notes are dated December 29, 2008; Muharram 1, 1430.

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Maldives welcomes Burmese reforms

The Maldives has said it supports recent political reforms in Burma, which has freed hundreds of political prisoners over the past several weeks.

The Burmese government has also begun direct talks with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“The Maldives welcomed the release of the 200 political prisoners on 11 October. We would like to see all remaining political prisoners in Burma freed,” said President’s Office Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair.

“The ongoing talks between the government and Aung San Suu Kyi have the potential to lead to meaningful democratic reforms,” he added.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Office, the international community expects the Burmese government to make significant progress on issues of democracy and human rights.

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Maiden flight lands at Fuvahmulah

Fuvahmulah’s newly completed airport was inaugurated today when a Dash-200 aircraft from Island Aviation landed at approximately 3.35 pm.

Witnesses of the event said those gathered to watch the landing were filled with joy and excitement, and may took photographs.

The airport, which measures some 1,200 metres in length and 30 metres in width, is expected to receive license to officially start operations within 2-3 days.

According to Mikal, a Fuvahmulah online magazine, Island Aviation’s Managing Director Ibrahim ‘Bandhu’ Saleem said scheduled flights would begin operations within the first week of next month.

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Nepal opts for SAARC 2013

Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kaji Shrestha has said that Nepal is considering a proposal to host the 18th annual summit of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), scheduled for February 2013.

Shrestha has said that it is “Nepal’s turn to host the 18th SAARC summit, so we will probably do it.”

The SAARC Charter stipulates that Nepal will organise the summit by November 2012.

South Asian News Agency reports that Nepal intends to ask the Maldives, which is hosting the upcoming summit in Addu atoll between November 10-12 and will subsequently be made SAARC chair, for a three-month grace period.

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