Inaugural sitting of the first session of the People's Majlis for the prevailing year concludes.
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Saturday 20 Apr 2024
LOCAL EDITION
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LOCAL EDITION
Inaugural sitting of the first session of the People's Majlis for the prevailing year concludes.
President Solih's address concludes.
Speaking about the administration's efforts to develop the fisheries sector, President Solih stated that the administration made record payments to fishermen in 2022, with MIFCO paying MVR 1 billion to fishermen. He also expressed hope that the United Kingdom and the European Union would make a favorable decision on duties levied from Maldivian fisheries exports.
Noting that the government's target for 2023 is to secure 1.8 million tourist arrivals - he also underscored his administration added a total of 16,758 tourist beds.
Noting the importance of transportation in the equitable distribution of development all over the country, President Solih stated that by the end of this year, the administration would connect Huvadhu Atoll, Fuvahmulah City, and Addu City with the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) high-speed ferry service - while the administration is aiming to connect all the islands through the RTL network.
President Solih also noted that the state collected MVR3.5 billion as income in January 2023 - the highest ever for a calendar month.
Emphasising Maldives' economic growth, President Solih stated that the World Bank initially forecast the Maldives' economy to grow by 7.6 per cent in 2022 but had revised the growth forecast to 12.3 per cent by the end of the year.
He emphasized the value of having laws to ensure safety and security in work environments and at home and urged Parliament to deliberate on the Occupational Health and Safety Bill and the Industrial Relations Bill.
Education Sector's pay has been harmonized as I promised last year in this position. A positive increment was brought to their salaries on the date promised. Starting for 1st of next May, the salaries of health sector workers will see an increment. Additionally, civil servants in government offices will start receiving a 35 percent allowance starting 1st of May as well. An increment will be brought to the salaries of university workers in the Maldives starting next March. By the conclusion of pay harmonization, all civil servants will benefit such as judiciary workers, imams and muezzins.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
One year has passed since the declaration of minimum wage on January 1, 2022. This is a significant improvement for many Maldivian workers. Over 33.500 people benefited directly. Another positive legislature amendment was gazetted on September 20, 2022, increasing the service charge of the tourist sector to 10 percent to be divided among all staff equally. The increased income to those workers have improved the living standards of their families.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
A quality life for the people can be ensured by the policies implemented by the government. The results of each project carried out and each decision made should reach the people.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
President Solih said that a project is underway to develop over 6,000 skilled individuals for the job market. Efforts are also underway to establish junior colleges, TVET centres and polytechnic centers being established at different regions in the country.
He detailed physicals works were presently underway on the development of a junior college in HA. Dhidhdhoo, a polytechnic centre in K. Thulusdhoo - while a party has been contracted to develop a junior college at N. Kendhikulhudhooo.
He also announced the development of a TVET centre in Kulhudhuffushi and Fuvahmulah City and a junior college at N. Velidhoo as upcoming projects.
Students who have previously withdrawn student loans still have concerns, he noted. However, he said that the government's aim is to ease such difficulties borne by productive, responsible and talented Maldivian youths.
1,986 students provided student loans so far, said the president. He also noted that student loan has been restructured by the government in order to provide relief to students. In this regard, he detailed that the administrative fee previously at five percent had been reduced to one percent, while loan repayment period has been extended to 20 years.
The changes, he said, effectively reduced the total loan amount and also reduced the monthly payment that needs to be settled by students.
President Solih states that 16,315 students enrolled in the free degree program of the government to date from which 6,500 students have graduated
There will be differences between two people, two houses, two districts, two islands and two atolls. There will be differences especially between political parties. Nevertheless, the government will always see every Maldivian citizen as equals. In front of the government, every citizen is respected in terms of the rights and responsibilities owed to them in addition to the services that need to be provided for them.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
President Solih begins to deliver his address.
PPM reports eight arrests have been made from the protest presently underway at Sosun Magu.
Police have used pepper spray to dismantle the protestors.
Supporters and activists of the opposition coalition are also protesting outside the People's Majlis building.
The sitting has gone to a temporary recess subsequent to the disturbance caused by opposition members' calling to free opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.
Opposition members are protesting ahead of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's deliverance of his address.
Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam, Maavah MP Mohamed Saeed, Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq and Felidhoo MP Ibrahim Fazul have been admonished by Speaker Nasheed.
The speaker also requested the Parliament's Sargeant at Arms to remove MP Siyam from the parliament floor.
Speaker Nasheed honored late Abdulla Hameed, a recipient of the Order of Distinguished Rule of Izzuddeen, who served as the Speaker of the Parliament from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 2004 in his opening remarks.
The first session of the People's Majlis for the prevailing year commences.