14 November 2007
Report: Soodh
The residents of Noonu Velidhoo had gathered in front of the Island office to voice their protest over the government’s decision to build an airport at Maafaru of that Atoll.
Velidhoo Island Chief Ibrahim Zaki speaking to Velidhoo News said that gathered in front of the island office on the morning of the 12 of this month.
“We have conveyed the sentiments of the residents that gathered in front of the office, to the Atoll Office, the residents say that Maafaru is too far away from the rest of the islands of the atoll as well as from the resorts under construction; they say Maafaru being located on the eastern tip of the atoll, construction of airport there, would cause many difficulties for the residents” said Zaki.
According to Zaki many residents have expressed their opinion that the airport development should be carried out in an island like Dhigurah , Ehdhuhfaru , or Minaavaru. He said according to the residents the construction of the airport in such an island would benefit many of the people in the atoll.
Speaking to Velidhoo News, Abdulla Faiz, one of the residents of Velidhoo who gathered in front of the Island Office told Velidhoo News that as Maafaru is on the eastern side of the atoll; the government constructed airport at Lhaviyani Atoll would be closer to residents of Velidhoo than the airport at Maafaru.
“Velidhoo and Holhudhoo are the 2 most populous islands of the atoll, there are other islands in the atoll are more centrally located and more suitable for airport development, we are making our views clear here, as the airport is to be constructed on the eastern tip of the atoll it would mean we have travel longer distances to get there” said Faiz.
According to Faiz more than 300 people gathered in front of the Velidhoo Office. However, according to Atoll Chief Abdulla Khaleel only 15 or so residents gathered in front of Velidhoo Island Office.
When Velidhoo News contacted Atoll Chief Abdulla Khaleel for his comments, he replied “We base our decision according to the majority of the residents wishes, so far we have no objections from the residents of the other islands of the atoll, we will consider the peace and harmony within our communities when we take a decision, we will forward the sentiments of the Velidhoo residents to the concerned government agency”.
Velidhoo Island Chief declined to say exactly how many gathered in front of the office, but said they were no violence.
Construction of Maafaru airport was opened for bidding on the 6 of this month. Maafaru has a population of 1000 while Velidhoo has a population of 2800.
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