Issue of changing atoll capital in Majlis floor

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

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27maj400 DRP/PA’s message to the government and President Mohamed Nasheed was loud, clear and repeated several times in the People’s Majlis yesterday. During the debate session held over an urgent motion submitted in the Maljis, DRP/PA members called out to the government and President Nasheed to resign and no less.

In yesterday’s Majlis session, an urgent motion was submitted by Thulusdhoo constituency member Rozaina Adam of DRP. The motion stated that the government’s recent decision to change the atoll capital of Kaafu from Thulusdhoo to Maafushi and Shaviyani atoll capital from Funadhoo to Milandhoo was not done in an acceptable way. It also stated that this move would create a lot of problems to Thulusdhoo and Funadhoo residents and also a lot of loss to government’s budget as there were already institutions, buildings and offices established in these two islands and government has to now incur more expenses to construct the same buildings in the new capital islands. The motion called out to the government to stop these actions of changing atoll capitals.

Speaking during debate session, Rozaina Adam criticized the government saying that the decision to change the atoll capital was done in haste and that this decision was made purely for political gain.

Opposition and some independent members who spoke said that the government should have talked to the residents of Thulusdhoo and Fonadhoo before making this decision. They criticized MDP saying that MDP advertised that the party carried out its activities in a transparent manner and that they believed in good governance and they were a caring government. Opposition members said that government’s recent decision showed none of these features but was dictatorial, brutal and against democratic principles that MDP says it promotes.

Kendhoo member Ahmhed Thasneem criticized governments reasoning stated by the government for changing atoll capitals of Kaafu and Shaviyani. He said, “Absence of safe atmosphere”, as stated by the government was not such a good reason. He further alleged that the government has not conducted proper investigations to what happened in Shaviyani Fonadhoo.

MDP members, as a reminder to DRP and PA members said that this was not the first time in the history of Maldives that capitals of Atolls have been changed. Citing some examples they said Seenu capital was changed from Maradhoo to Hithadhoo and that Shaviyani Atoll capital was previously in changed from Maakanoodhoo to Fonadhoo.

MDP members also said that there was no law stating that there should be a specific island for atoll capitals. They said that even if the capital island changed, the services would be the same and that it would be duly provided to the public.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Monday that capitals of atolls Kaafu and Shaviyani had been changed.

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