Category: News in Brief

Merciel signs 10 year contract to operate Vashafaru power facility

Merciel International (Maldives) Pvt Ltd (MI-M) has signed a 10-year contract with Vashafaru Island Council in Haa Alif Atoll to operate the island’s power facility under the government’s public-private partnership program.

Country Director of Merciel Ali Hashim and President of Vashafaru Island Council Abdulla Zahir signed the contract at a ceremony this morning.

In a statement, Merciel noted that MI-M has become the first and only private utility company in the Maldives.

“So far, utility services have been provided in the islands by the state-owned corporations or local NGOs,” the company noted.

“MI-M was awarded the power station’s operation after its proposal was selected as the best proposal submitted in response to a public Request for Proposals (RFP) announced by Vashafaru Island Council in July 2011.”

MI-M is a subsidiary of a

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Himandhoo, Fuvahmulah by-elections scheduled for November 19

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced by-elections to replace vacant council seats in Alif Alif Himandhoo and Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah for November 19 and invited potential candidates to apply before October 16.

Councillors of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Hassan Saeed from Fuvahmulah and Abdulla Jameel from Himandhoo, lost their seats after the Supreme Court ruled last week on cases contesting their eligibility to compete in the February council elections.

The Supreme Court ruled that Hassan Saeed had a decreed debt that he was not paying back in accordance with a lower court verdict while Abdulla Jameel had been convicted of theft. Both were disqualified under article 12(c) of the Local Council Elections Act.

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DRP secretary-general quit via text message

The opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has criticised the party’s former Secretary General Mohamed Nimal for the “irresponsible” manner of his departure to join the incipient Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

DRP Media Coordinator Ali Solih told newspaper Haveeru that Nimal was appointed to the post under an agreement signed three months ago.

“Resigning through an SMS alone will not do,” he said. “He has to hand over the tasks he was given. I believe he should have discussed with party leaders about the tasks before making a decision.”

Nimal, who contested unsuccessfully for the Maafanu-South council seat of Male’ City, was appointed secretary general of DRP on July 1 after the resignation of Abdul Rasheed Nafiz.

Nimal said he quit the DRP because he was “convinced that PPM has the capacity to win the next presidential election among all the opposition parties. I saw the determination of all the senior members involved in creating the party to win the presidential election. PPM can save the people from this government.”

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Parliament’s third session to begin this week

The third session of parliament for 2011 will begin on Monday with the presentation of three bills amending the Decentralisation Act, Civil Service Act and Public Finance Act.

Villufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed will also question Finance Minister Ahmed Inaz halting Rf 100 million (US$6.4 million) in subsidies to fishermen, and present a motion requiring the government to begin constructing a mosque with US$350,000 in aid provided by Brunei.

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Special Sports Festival to improve opportunities for disabled students

The first Maldives’ Special Sports Festival was held today at the Henveiru Football Ground, sponsored by Care Society and telecommunications company Dhiraagu.

The event is part of Dhiraagu Anniversary Celebrations.

Students from Care Development Center (CDC), Jamaluddheen School (JS), Imaadhudheen School (IS), and Maldives Deaf Association (MDA) are expected to participate in group relays and races. Officials anticipate welcoming 700 spectators to the event, scheduled for 4 to 6 pm today.

CDC was implemented by Care Society in 2001, and presently supports 51 disabled students directly to develop skills in communication, living, academics, crafts and behavioral issues.

CDC and Dhiraagu have designed the Special Sports Festival as an annual event to support the disabled community by fostering community awareness and integration.

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Detained army deserters say no rights or amenities provided

Servicemen who had deserted military service were found and detained yesterday by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) under a special operation carried out by military police.

According to Haveeru, an army spokesperson said the servicemen were not arrested but were being held at MNDF centres with full amenities and a requirement to remain inside the centres.

The spokesperson said the army was awaiting orders from the legal department regarding penal procedures.

A serviceman held at MNDF centres have said they are not in fact receiving necessary amenities, Haveeru reports. The serviceman claimed to have a civil agreement with the armed forces protecting him from detainment in violation of a civil agreement.

An army spokesperson denied the serviceman’s claim.

The search for servicemen who deserted the armed forces is being continued, although the number of servicemen missing has not been confirmed.

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Criminal Court sentences man who tore up court summons

Criminal Court has sentenced a man for four months house arrest after he tore up the court summon.

The Court said he was sentenced under article 88 [a] of the Penal Code.

The Court also cited article 4 [a] of the Court Regulation on Contempt of Court in ruling the case.

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Journalists request participation in military operations

Senior officials at the Maldives National Defence Force have assured journalists that they would take steps to improve communication and transparency between the two groups.

Defence Minister Thalhath Ibrahim Kaleyfaan allegedly told journalists who attended a briefing at the armed forced headquarters today that the ministry would hold a training session to help journalists better report news involving military services, reports local media Haveeru.

Journalists were concerned over the lack of transparency at MNDF, and requested permission to participate in military operations, Haveeru reports.

The ministry said it would make arrangements following this request.

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Man arrested with 83 packets of illegal drugs

Police have arrested a man with 83 packets of suspected narcotics in a special operation conducted on Addu City.

Police reported that the man arrested was 30 year old.

According to police 11 packets were found with him and the rest of the packets were found inside his room.

Gan police station is investigating the case, police reported.

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