Category: News in Brief

Government nominates, shuffles ambassadors

The President’s Defence Advisor, Amin Faisal, has been nominated for the post of Maldives Ambassador to India, Haveeru reports. Faisal was nominated to replace current Ambassador to India Abdul Aziz Yousuf.

Bangladeshi Ambassador Ahmed Sareer was also nominated as the Maldives’ Ambassador to the US, while the Ambassador to Singapore, Mohamed Haleel, was nominated for the Maldives’ ambassador post in Bangladesh.

Deputy Ambassador to Singapore Ibrahim ‘Mody’ Didi has been promoted to the ambassador post in Singapore. Ahmed Rasheed of Karankaage/Shaviyani atoll Maaugoodhoo was nominated as the Maldives Ambassador to United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A complete list of nominations was sent to the parliamentary National Security Committee today, Haveeru News reports.


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State funeral held for late Corporal Shaukath

A state funeral was given last evening in Raa atoll Alifushi for the corporal who was shot dead during a training exercise yesterday at Laamu atoll Kadhoo. The funeral was attended by the corporal’s family, state officials and heads of the armed forces, reports Haveeru News.

The body of Corporal Ibrahim Shaukath, 32 of Shabaana/Raa atoll Alifushi was buried at the island’s cemetery following the Taraweeh prayer, said during Ramadan, and a seven-gun salute.

President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday sent his condolences to the corporal’s family, and assured the late Shaukath’s father that a full investigation of the incident was underway.

The President told Shaukath’s father that he was “deeply shocked and saddened” when told of the incident.

Shaukath was completing Body Guard training in preparation for November’s South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation when he was shot in the head in the late morning of Sunday, August 28. Military officials have said the soldiers were using live ammunition, and that it was not unusual.

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Heavy Load wins land reclamation contract

Heavy Load Maldives has been awarded the land reclamation contract at Hulhumalé following disputes yesterday with GMR, reports Sun Online. A new terminal will be constructed on this site for GMR Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

GMR declined to reveal the contract value, but confirmed that Heavy Load had received the contract. The project was allegedly delegated to GMR Airport Development Limited, a subsidiary of GMR, before it was awarded to Heavy Load.

The project budget was set at US$20 million, reports Sun.

The first phase of the project is said to reclaim 50 percent of the designated land area. In this phase, one million cubic metres of land area would be carved out of the ocean.

GMR reportedly said that harbour construction has not yet been delegated to any company.

Heavy Load Maldives is a company owned by Moosa ‘Reeko’ Manik, the Interim Chairperson of the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

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Flat construction begins on Gaakoshi plot in Male

Part of the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) camp office on Gaakoshi in Male’ has been annexed by the Housing Ministry to make way for flats as part of the government’s housing program, reports Haveeru.

The plot of land had been leased to the party until work was to begin on the flats, Deputy Housing Minister Mohamed Faiz told Haveeru.

Haveeru reported that the office has now been dismantled and walls demolished.

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Rf 220 per person distributed as alms

The Islamic Ministry began distributing Rf220 per person as alms today.

82,573 people are reported to have paid a total sum of Rf2,324,543.30 as alms this year. This is up Rf260,000 from Ramadan 2010.

The alms came collectively from Male, Hulhumale and Vilimale.

Alms collected in Hulhumale ward are being distributed in the ward, and alms collected in Male and Villimale are available at the ministry.


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GMR challenges Heavy Load for airport turf

GMR has challenged Heavy Load Maldives over land designated for a new terminal at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Haveeru reports.

GADL International Limited, a subsidiary company of GMR, had allegedly been assigned to reclaim the land and build the new terminal.

However, reports state that Heavy Load was awarded the first phase of the reclamation project at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, which includes 50 percent of the reclamation.

GMR has said that Heavy Load would not be given the project to construct the breakwater.

Heavy Load was recently asked to stop work at the Enboodhoo Lagoon by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The company had been awarded the project by Thilafushi Corporation Limited on September 30, 2010. Heavy Load re-submitted its proposal in August 2011, after the bidding was re-opened.

The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) interim Chairperson, ‘Reeko’ Moosa Manik, holds shares in Heavy Load.

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Surfing Champions 2011 trophy to be held August 31

Four Seasons Kudu Huraa resort will host six of the world’s most famous surfers for the 2011 Surfing Champions Trophy, starting from August 29.

Competing surfers include Josh Constable, Mark Richards, Layne Beachley, Nat Young, Damien Hardman and Mark ‘Occy’ Occhilupo, with over 20 world titles to their names.

The five-day event will take place from August 31 to September 4. Representatives from the resort said the event would highlight the Maldives as an attractive surfing destination alongside its already widespread fame as a dive destination.

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UNDP calls for nominations for Equator Prize

The UNDP has called for nominations for the 2012 Equator Prize, a biannual award recognising local innovation in advancing sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities.

“Eligibility for this cycle of the prize has been broadened to accommodate a wider range of community-based initiatives and has been expanded to all countries receiving support from UNDP,” the organisation said in a statement.

“Water and energy access, food security, and adaption to climate changes are the development challenges of our time,” said Director of the UNDP’s Environment and Energy Group, Veerle Vanderweerd.

The UNDP noted that past recipients of the prize have included “grassroots” initiatives in small-scale fishing, wildlife protection and sustainable energy and water access.

The 25 winners of the international prize will receive US$5000, and 10 recipients will receive US$20,000.

Nominations can be submitted online at www.equatorinitiative.org

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Alms registrations up by 1300

Registrations for alms at Ramadan are up by 1,300 this year in Male’, Haveeru reports.

Over 10,600 people are said to have registered as of Thursday, August 25. Alms will be distributed in Male’ on Sunday, August 28. This is one day earlier than the Islamic Ministry had originally planned.

Alms this year, or nisab, costed Rf53 per person for Basmati Rice, and Rf32 per person for Thailand Rice. Registered alms recipients can pick up their sum from the Islamic Centre in Male and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) in Hulhumale between 1 and 3pm on Sunday.

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