SAARC in Addu City- My report

Today we are happy that Addu city was able to hold the 17th SAARC summit.

Everyone is celebrating its success and what the great work we did. So I'd rater speak of what we could not do.

Seventeenth SAARC summit was held in Equatorial Convention Center.

"A wonder brought up in 6 months from a marsh land" they say. The landscaping done by MNDF and police was just marvelous. Thank you MNDF and MPS. But, we say this is a nation. A nation with law and order. As far as my knowledge, such a huge change in a big ecology in Maldives requires Environmental Impact Assessment. (the well known EIA). I saw on TV president answering the reporter regarding the issue saying that a harm will not be done knowingly for sure. Yes Sir! Your right, they will not bring a harm knowingly, yet an unknown harm too is a harm. Where was the city council? Silent? Where was the environment ministry? At Male'? I don't know. All I know is it all happened "above the law"

Inside the convention center, I was able to enter as a media person. I was informed of around 118 expected media persons, yet saw not more than 3 computers and 5-10 internet ports. Excuse me if it was more. As for the security, mobile phones were not allowed into the ECC on 10th and 11th. But while I saw a media person using the phone he was "informed" it was strictly not allowed. Good security indeed. I saw 2 others using the phone too when the heads of states were inside the "Bodu kiba". When I asked if international media was given special priority, the answer I got was wonderful. "Even they are not allowed to bring phones. But it happened"

Thew names given to various rooms of the ECC...Well its good to give a name of each atoll to a room. But then let us not forget that this is a building in Addu City and Addu too has a history. I cant understand why names of the important people from Addu were not in there. And only few people from this 30,000 population were invited, even when there were no less than a 100 chairs vacant on the opening ceremony too.
Please don't tell anyone this secret. None of the city council members were to be seen when president Nasheed declared open the Equatorial Convention Center!!! ;)

Road construction was an important task that was to be done. As a person belonging to Addu city, it bothers me least if a country leader pass the car when compared to the quality and durability of the road. It is now very clear that the road construction did not go as planned.. Yesterday SAARC Summit was concluded. Even now, surely more than 70% of the pavement is yet to be paved. I heard so many times Southern Utilities promising that "the job will be done." Well. SUL, it was not done, and is still not done!

The monument became a huge issue after a monument from Pakistan was attacked by 2 people from Addu. Now who failed here? I heard our Mayor telling that nothing that goes against the faith of people will be fixed as a monument. Well sir! Islamic minister says that monument does not fit to our values and limits of constitution. Who is confusing us? You or the minister? A dhoni was supposed to be kept as a monument in the junction of Ghaazee maga and Medhe aari maga. Hello Addu City Council...SAARC summit is over! Leaders did pass that "empty" area. Where are you?

The quality of the work, I don't think anyone has to answer. Just this incidence speaks out. I asked an engineer who was having a close eye on the projects. "Just go and see the many very different sizes of gravel they used. How the thickness of the layers differ from place to place, the surface of the road. Then anyone will know that this is just a show off" He said. and added one more from his experience. "If link road lasts for 10 years, just pray to God, this bodu magu lasts for 5"

Many blamed Hithadhoo people did not give cooperation compared to other islands. Let me be very frank on this. In other islands (ooops, sorry wards of the city) the ward leaders, the constituency councilors were the first to do the work before asking people to do it. This encouraged the people. What did we see in Hithadhoo. I'd share two experiences I had. The "city cleaning day" was celebrated. All schools, offices and public were to participate. I wanted to see what our councilors were upto. In a short while I found at least one of them on his car and the other wearing tie. Excuse me! This is democracy according to you. If then, don't expect people to to something that you are not ready to do.
Second situation was the day Hithadhoo main road and city square was cleaned. Well, I may become the bad boy for speaking this out, but when president Nasheed was out in city square with cleaning work, our respected councilors were not there. Well, some may say they were on the main road doing the work, I bet not until 9:30. :P

I think the list could go on. Now I have a simple question. City square, ECC, monuments, main roads, harbours, banquet hall were the projects of government. What did the city council that we voted do for the SAARC summit? Did you really do enough.?