Nasheed: Parliament’s in-house restaurant will reduce expenses

Parliament Speaker, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed said on Wednesday that having an in-house restaurant will reduce the Parliament’s expenses.

Nasheed, the leader of main ruling party MDP, announced plans to establish a restaurant and gym at the Parliament through its social club on July 1. The Parliament announced for contractors on July 22.

In response to a question by a reporter during a press conference held by MDP on Wednesday night, Nasheed said that having an in-house restaurant will reduce expenditure on meals for parliamentarians and ease the burden on the budget.

“The restaurant and gym at Parliament are being established under a public-private partnership. Under the contractor financing model. Therefore, having a restaurant will actually ease the burden on the Parliament’s budget. As you know, we are currently spending a great deal on meals,” he said.

The restaurant will be located on the terrace of the new Parliament building.

Nasheed has previously stated that the restaurant will allow parliamentarians to meet and hold discussions with their constituents over a cup of coffee.

He said on Wednesday that former parliamentarians will also have access to the restaurant.

“We are working on reducing the expenditure on meals and have a restaurant open to provide services to parliamentarians. Now this includes former parliamentarians and staffers. And if a constituent wishes to speak to a parliamentarian, that opportunity too will be open from there,” he said.

In addition to the restaurant and gym, Nasheed also announced that the social club will establish a hansard outlet to sell records of parliamentary debates and reports.