Government to provide electricity subsidies to all islands – President Nasheed. President discusses government decision to accept two Muslims held at Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre

Electricity subsidies

In his weekly radio address, President Mohamed Nasheed has said a seven-member taskforce has started work to facilitate electricity subsidies provision to all islands.

The government has already introduced targeted electricity subsidies to households in Male.

Acknowledging the need to find a permanent solution in providing subsidies, President Nasheed said the government was determined to find ways to lessen the burden on struggling households because of tariff hikes.

With the completion of the work of the taskforce, which was formed on Wednesday, he added issues arising from increase in electricity tariffs “will be resolved in a way people will not have to face much difficulty” in paying their bills.

President Nasheed also explained that his government’s aim was to make all state-owned enterprises sustainable.

The government stopped subsidising the main electricity provider Stelco – which had been running into major challenges – to give targeted subsidies to struggling families.

Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre issue

In his radio address, the President discussed government’s intention to welcome two Muslims held at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre.

Responding to criticism by the opposition, the President said the issue of bringing two Muslims held at the detention centre was not conducted secretly, as he had publicly announced it last year.

The President said welcoming innocent Muslims held at the detention centre would “show that we are a people who care about others as much as we can”, and would bring “good will, honour and prestige” to the country.

“In my view, it is not in line at all with our Constitution, Islam, or ‘Maldivianness’ that we refuse to help especially Muslims, especially those wrongly imprisoned,” the President added.

The President called on the opposition Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party to submit any complaints they might have on the issue. He promised to provide information the opposition wanted to clarify.

“I very sincerely urge the DRP officials that as I see it this is not a type of issue [in which we] fall into political rivalry.”

Development projects database

The President, in his radio address, also discussed web based database that gives details on all development projects planned and underway in all islands. The database, named Isles, can be accessed at http://isles.egov.mv.

The President concluded his radio announcing that land reclamation projects would be launched in Hinnavaru, Thulhaadhoo, Velidhoo and Dhidhdhoo on Saturday.