Dr. Shaugy ridicules Addu people

Dr. Mahmoud Shaugy, Minister of Tourism speaking at official inaugural ceremony of Herathera Resort has responded to the comments of some adduans who kept saying that Herathera was just another dream resort similar to that of Villingili of that atoll. He said he was reminded of that night of 20 October 2005, when at a meeting held in Hithadhoo to discuss the introduction of tourism to Addu Atoll, the attendees, cried out “that is not possible, this government will never introduce tourism to Addu”.

“Many people of the this atoll attended that meeting held in Hithadhoo on the 20 October 2005, they insisted that such a thing was simply not possible, they said this government will never allow tourism to come to this atoll, many other government ministers have already shown us that dream, you are here to complete just another link in that chain, toward the end of that meeting I thought Addu people will never believe however much I tried” said Dr. Shaugy speaking at the official inaugural ceremony held in the mirror bar.

Tourism Minister Dr. Shaugy further that he told the attendees of the meeting at Hithadhoo, he fully appreciated how much the people wanted tourism to be introduced to Addu and that they would believe him when they saw it happening right before their very eyes.

Herethere Resort was officially inaugurated by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday.

Peaceful coexistence depends on judicial system – Justice Minister

Minister of Justice Muiz Adnan has said that peace and harmony existent in a society is dependent on the judicial system in place in that society. He made the statement speaking at the ceremony held to inaugurate the Hulhumale’ Court.

Justice Minister Muiz said that the judicial system must be system which has the support of the people and one which the people can readily identify and trust. He said in such a system the court’s decision will be respected by the people. He also said that the purpose of opening a court in Hulhumale’ was to solve the difficulties faced by Hulhumale’ residents in attending the courts in Male’.

“In order to obtain the trust and the support of the people, decisions of the judicial system must be ones which the people can accept, it is hoped this court would solve the difficulties faced by Hulhumale’ residents in attending Male’ courts” said Justice Minister.

Justice Minister further revealed that the court would handle family cases and minor civil cases. He although no criminal cases are handled at present, the service would soon be introduced.

Before concluding his talks at the ceremony, Minister thanked President Gayoom’s effort to strengthen and improve the judicial system of the country.

The ceremony which was commenced by the recitation of Holy Quran was introduced by Khalid Gasim Director of Judicial Affairs at the Ministry of Justice. The ceremony in addition to the Minister of Justice was attended by senior judges of courts in Male’ as well as by senior officials of the Justice Ministry.

Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has said that people of South Maldives prefers a transitional arrangement in or

Hulhumale’ Development Corporation (HDC) has revealed the corporation was planning to give land for housing purposes this year.

According to Deputy Director of HDC Nuhaa Mohamed, no land or flat were given from Hulhumale’ last year as the roads project was not completed. Although the Deputy Director said land will be given did not specify any specific date when flats and land would be given or what procedures will be used.

HDC revealed that the project to construct additional 500 flats is underway and that the project would be completed by the end of the year.

“Currently the project to construct 500 flats is going on, the flats will be completed by the end of the year, however we exactly give a completion date as yet” said Nuhaa.

Hulhumale’ Development Corporation revealed that currently a population of nearly 5000 people resides in Hulhumale’. Many believe that due to development of Hulhumale’ the problems arising in Male’ due to unavailability of land would be solved.

Huge support for transitional govt- Anni

Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has said that people of South Maldives prefers a transitional arrangement in order to have elections under the new constitution. Anni said this was clearly demonstrated by the tremendous support given by the people of the south to the expedition of Dhekunu Arumaz.

Speaking to Miadhu Anni said the support received for the transitional cause surpassed expectations. “We went from door to door, we met and held discussions with Island Development Committees of 26 islands, and we knew from their talks that people gave a lot of support to establish a transitional arrangement” Anni said.

Although people were a little hesitant to attend seminar meetings, door to door activities proved very successful and it really revealed the extent of their support said Anni. Anni also said on two occasions police were a little hostile but soon amended their ways after a little persuasion.

Regarding the talks that some people were intimidated by Island Chiefs, Anni said that he believed that it was a government decision. Anni also said Shereen Deputy Minister for Atolls Development made calls to some islands and that her actions were childish.

Although the expedition faced some minor problems, the expedition was a huge success said Anni in reponse to a question posed by Miadhu. Some people from Gahdhoo and Villingili called Miadhu and complained that they faced some difficulties in attending the sessions of Dhekunu Arumaz held in those islands. It is widely believed that efforts of the political parties to promote political awareness of the general public will not be hampered by the government as long as the parties remain within the legal boundaries.

Population of Addu is 18,026 – Planning Ministry

The results of national census 2006 shows population of Addu Atoll is 18,026 people revealed Ministry of Planning and National Development. Ministry indicates that the population comprises of 8,401 males and 9,625 females. Ministry further revealed that this was 6.03 percent of total population of Maldives.

The census 2006 indicated that most adduans take up jobs in police services or administrative jobs. Second choice of adduans as a means to earn their livelihoods is in the area of manufacturing or producing items. Favorite job area for Addu men are in the area of manufacture or producing items while the jobs in the educational sector is second choice.

72 percent of men and 50 percent of women are active economically in Addu Atoll. Highest number of women who are economically active in Addu is from Hulhdhoo and they form 59 percent of Hulhudhoo women. Highest number of men who are economically active in Addu is from Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo and they form 78 percent of men in those islands.

According to census 2006, 29percent of the people of Addu Atoll were unemployed. Unemployment according to census survey 2006 of the atoll is highest in Hulhudhoo. They are 16 percent men and 43 percent women.

Most people of Addu Atoll live in Hithadhoo of that atoll. 53 percent of Addu population lives Hithadhoo while 15 percent live in Feydhoo. The census indicates that women form the majority group of the population of Addu. For every 100 women there are just 87 men. In Meedhoo of that atoll for every 100 women there are only 78 men.

In contrast to other atolls, many adduans live in Male’. During the period of the census survey a total of 6,888 adduans were living in Male’. Out of the 6,888, highest number was from Hithadhoo and they were 2,500. Only 302 from Maradhoo Feydhoo were found to be living in Male’ during this period.

Looking at the literacy rates, 97 percent of adduans are literate, especially Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo where literacy rate is 98 percent. Educational standard of the population above 6 years age is grade 7. Census 2006 also indicated that number of women who achieved O level standard is higher than that of men.

In Addu Atoll according to the national census 2006, men get married at the age of 22 while women at 18. Couples normally have 2 children while most women give birth between 19 to 25 years of age.

Families usually drink rain water although well water is also used. The census indicates 88 percent use rain water for consumption. Cooking gas is becoming increasingly popular although kerosene and fire wood is still used.

Census also indicates 83 percent of adduans have septic tanks in their compound.

Indian Commerce Minister meets FM Shahid

Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh has paid a courtesy call to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid yesterday.

During the meeting Maldives Foreign Minister Shahid thanked the Indian government for the assistance and support the Indian government has always rendered to the development of Maldives. He also highlighted the close brotherly relations between the 2 nations and discussed ways on improving the relations even further.

Speaking during the meeting State Minister Ramesh expressed hope that a meeting of the Joint Commission formed between the 2 countries will be held soon. He also talked about increasing investments from both sides.

The meeting held at Foreign Ministry was attended by Maldives Ambassador designated to India Anbaree Abdul Sattar, Indian High Commissioner designated to Maldives, A. K. Pandey, Ambassador at Large, Abdul Azeez Yoosuf and Director at Foreign Ministry Fathimath Inaya.

Wataniya inaugurates Maldives first 3G network

Wataniya Maldives has revealed that the company has inaugurated the first ever 3G network in Maldives, which according to the company would form the basis of the foundation of future mobile communications in the Maldives. Wataniya revealed that this was a major step for Maldives as the country continues to grow with modern world of telecommunications.

Wataniya revealed that the company now has a fully functional 3G High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) network in Male’ and Hulhumale’ with limited coverage to Male’ International Airport. Wataniya informs that the coverage to the airport as well as to other parts of Maldives will be expanded.

The inauguration ceremony was held at Dharubaaruge yesterday in two stages. A special media presentation was delivered in the morning for press and invitees and a very special VIP ceremony in the evening.

At the ceremony a demonstration of the 3G services was made to the invitees and the members of the press. These included Wataniya Vedio Calls, Wataniya Vedio Surveillance, Wataniya Mobile Broadband and Wataniya Mobile TV.

According to Wataniya the company is currently testing these services. Wataniya said that the company hoped to introduce these services by first quarter of 2008.
Speaking at the ceremony yesterday Wataniya’s CEO Abraham Smith said “Wataniya 3G/HSDPA mobile high speed data network is termed as 3G in technical terms. This is an advance version of 3G technology and this is also the most advanced mobile technology ever to be introduced to Maldives as this is actually a 3.5G network. In just over 2 years, Wataniya has led ventures that delivered the most advanced technology, most unique services and the most innovative products. Wataniya came for the people of Maldives and we are making sure that the people get the best services available anywhere in the World today”.

The inauguration of the network placed Maldives in the very short list of countries that have 3G/HSDPA technology in the Asia Pacific region revealed Wataniya. According to Wataniya these countries are Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore South Korea, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.

Second girls school will be opened in 2009- Ministry

Ministry of Education has revealed that construction of the second all girls secondary school will be completed and inaugurated some time next year.

Speaking to Miadhu Daily, Director of the Ministry of Education Mohamed Yousuf said that school which will be constructed with grant aid from the Japanese government will be opened some time next year. He said that he is unable to provide an exact date as to when the construction work would commence but said that the work previously scheduled to commence last December.

Director Yousuf revealed that the school has a design capacity of 1500 students and includes 25 class rooms and other facilities required for a school.

Education Ministry revealed that the school is 4 storey building and would be constructed on land where former Tajuhdheen School was located. Education also revealed that the school is being constructed to provide a relief to ever increasing girl student population of Aminiyya School, the only all girl school providing secondary education in Male’.

According to sources the Japanese government is providing 774 Million Yen as grant aid for the construction of the school.

President briefed on “Addu Atoll Development Vision 2015”

Addu Atoll Committee briefed President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on the “Addu Atoll Development Vision 2015”, yesterday night.

The members of the committee gave President Gayoom information on the main categories of the project.

The Atoll Office, Chiefs of the islands, Atoll Development Committee, non-governmental associations and societies, officials of Government offices and the people of the atoll contributed numerous ideas for the compilation of the project.

During the meeting, the members of the committee presented President Gayoom with a copy of the vision.

President Gayoom thanked the committee members for taking the initiative to carry out such an important project and said that such projects are vital for the progress of the atoll. He further said that the Government had launched the “Vision 2020” so that Maldives could reach new heights of development. He also noted that the “Addu Atoll Development Vision 2015” was designed for the development of the entire atoll, and that it accentuated the “Vision 2020”.

Herathera will contribute to development of Addu- President

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday said that the inauguration of Herathera Island Resort marked the beginning of the South’s tourism zone and that the resort would make a valuable contribution to the economy and progress of Addu Atoll.

President Gayoom and the First Lady Nasreena Ibrahim were greeted upon their arrival at the Inauguration Ceremony of the resort by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahmood Shaugee, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, Hussain Afeef, Managing Director of Maldives Tourism Development Corporation, Mr. Mohamed Solih, members of the Board of Directors, distinguished guests attending the ceremony and the General Manager of the resort.

Speaking at the ceremony, President said that the opening of Herathera Island Resort was a remarkable achievement for MTDC and noted that the whole resort had been successfully completed within 16 months. He further said that work to open two more resorts in Addu Atoll is underway, and that the people of the atoll would benefit greatly from these projects.

The people of Addu Atoll presented President Gayoom with a plaque to commemorate his contributions towards the commencement of international flights and the promotion of tourism in Addu. Mohamed Abdulla presented the plaque to the President on behalf of the Addu Atoll Committee.

Certificates were presented to those who had contributed to the successful inauguration of Herathera Island Resort. The recipients of these certificates were Dr. Mahmood Shaugee, Champa Hussain Afeef, Mohamed Solih, Ibrahim Nooradeen, Maldives Tourism Development Corporation, and Late Mohamed Saeed of Addu Atoll Hithadhoo Moonlight Villa.

MTDC presented the people of Addu Atoll with an honorary plaque for their efforts in developing the resort. Tour operators, Thomas Cook and Hotelplan also received plaques for their contribution and faith in Herathera Island Resort. The plaques and certificates were presented by President Gayoom.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahmood Shaugee said that the arrival of tourists directly to Addu Atoll through this international gateway has long been a dream of all the residents of the atoll. He noted that the inauguration of the resort could not have been possible without the full cooperation and support of several key figures of the tourism sector.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Maldives Tourism Development Corporation, Hussain Afeef said that it was a significant day for the people of Maldives, particularly to the people of Addu Atoll. He highlighted various difficulties faced during the development of the resort and noted that all the work in building the resort had been done by Maldivians.

In his vote of thanks, the Managing Director of MTDC, Mohamed Solih noted the high priority attached by the Government and the President in particular to the development of Herathera Island Resort.

A video presentation showing the developmental work of the resort was made during the ceremony.

President met with the Board of Directors of MTDC during his visit to the resort.