Archive for category: News

PRESIDENTIAL VISITS

Visit to some Islands of Haddhummathi Atoll

• President Yameen concluded his visit to some islands of Haddhummathi Atoll on 9^th September.
• During his visit, President visited Hithadhoo Island and inaugurated the Hithadhoo Harbour, visited Gan Island and inaugurated the Thundi District Harbour and also Maabaidhoo Island’s harbour.
• The President also visited Maamendhoo Island and initiated the sewerage services of the island.
• President Yameen inaugurated Haddhummathi Link Road connecting Gan and Fonadhoo during his visit.
• President Yameen also visited Fonadhoo Island later and initiated the island’s water services.

Visit to Thinadhoo, South Huvadhu Atoll

• President Yameen concluded his visit to Thinadhoo Island of South Huvadhu Atoll on 11^th
• During the visit, President Yameen attended the ceremony held to mark the completion of several projects like completion of road construction, Islamic Centre, “Aabaadhee Maizaan” Park, land reclamation & shore protection, construction of 120 housing units, and shore protection in the Baraasil area of Thinadhoo.

 

ELECTION BRIEFS

Presidential candidates sign approval for voter registry

• The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the opposition coalition on 12^th September signed their approval over eligible voter registry for the September 23^rd, presidential elections.
• The Elections Commission authorized 25 representatives from each faction to sign the voter list.
• Neither parties raised any objections over the list.

 

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

President Yameen inaugurates Haddhummathi Link Road

• President Yameen inaugurated the Haddhummathi Link Road, connecting Gan Island and Fonadhoo Island on 8^th
• The President unveiled the monument placed to commemorate the inauguration of the Road at the ceremony.
• The President also took a drive on the link road to Fonadhoo from Gan.

 

TOURISM

Maldives hits a million Tourists

• The Maldives Tourism ministry on September 10^th, announced the arrival of one million tourists this year.
• There has been a 10 per cent increase in numbers for the same period in the previous year.
• Maldives welcomed the millionth tourist of 2018 with a free resort holiday, seaplane travel and Internet package.
• They were also greeted and welcomed with cultural activities at the country’s main international airport.

 

NEWS UPDATES

Maldives National Football Team victorious in SAFF semi-finals against Nepal

• Maldives National Football Team secured their spot in final of the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018.
• The team won the match against Nepal by 3 goals to nil score.
• President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom congratulated the Maldives National Football Team for their overwhelming victory in Semi-Finals.
• This marks the fifth time the country made their way to the finals of the biennial international men’s football championship.

 

ENDS

 

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has stated that the Administration will not tolerate any action that weakens the sovereignty of the Maldives. He made this remark while responding to a question within the “MNU Presidential Debate 2018” held this evening at the MNU Central Auditorium.

Speaking at the debate, President Yameen noted that the Administration would not allow outside interests to interfere with the nation’s affairs. He reiterated that Maldivians would not abandon the nation’s identity and embrace religions other than Islam.

President Yameen went on to highlight that development projects were being carried out with the intention of fulfilling the needs of the Maldivian people, noting that he does not believe individual islands should be left to develop on their resources alone; that development can only be fully realised by utilising national resources in an equitable manner.

During the debate the President highlighted the positive outlook given by Moody’s Investors Service – which had assured that the Maldives has the capacity to repay the loans secured for development projects.

Highlighting that development strides cannot be undertaken without the use of loans, he stated that world powers such as the United States of America and United Kingdom also welcome foreign investment. Furthermore, he noted the importance of foreign investments for small states like the Maldives, and stated the nation’s yearly gross revenues currently values at 20 billion Maldivian Rufiyaa and that this amount would quadrupled by the year 2023 to a value of 82 Billion Maldivian Rufiyaa.

During the debate, President Yameen also noted that key development projects were not designed in a way as to harm the environment, highlighting that there was no scientific evidence that such projects were damaging to the environment.

President Yameen said that developing the “Greater Male’” as a livable township for a large portion of the population was in no way an initiative to force citizens who wish to live throughout the country to move to the region; but to provide better options and conditions for those living in Malé while paying increased rents.

Noting that the current decentralised system has not efficiently facilitated equitable development across the nation, President Yameen noted that politicians and public servants should put forward the interest of the citizens, their constituents, above politics.

The President also noted that while resolving the issue of gang violence required long term efforts, such incidents had decreased 35 percent within the past 5 years.
Emphasising that offenders also have rights, President Yameen stated that funds spent on rehabilitation should not be reduced; rather the Administration would increase spending if necessary in order to bring productive citizens back to society, the President said.

Source: The President’s Office