People should be relocated in the most beneficial way- Gasim

Leader of the Jumhooree Party, Gasim Ibrahim has said that relocation of people from smaller islands to larger islands should be done in the most beneficial way.

Gasim Ibrahim made this remark speaking at the meeting held between the Parliamentary Group members of the Jumhooree Party and the Minister of Finance Abdulla Jihad.

Gasim Ibrahim said that relocation is something that should be done and he has always advocated for it.

“However it should be done after planning it very well. We should also consider the geographical formation of Maldives. We also should consider the safety and security of the nation. We also should consider the location of the islands regardless of the size,” he said.

Gasim said that since Maldivians are fishermen it is very important that the fishermen live in islands near fishing areas and this is something very crucial for economy and development of the nation.

“For example, look at Raa Atoll Kandholhudhoo. There is shortage of land. However when the people were relocated to Dhuvafaru what was the solution they got for their problem? Dhuvafaru is now over populated. And they are a fishing people. Now they have to sail two hours to reach the fishing areas. This is a disadvantage for them and also for the economy of Maldives,” he said.

Minister Abdulla Jihad also expressed the same concerns and underscored the importance of passing the bill on relocation submitted to the Peoples’ Majlis by the government.