Planning Minister: Forced relocation is inhumane

Forced relocation of people from one island to the other is inhumane, states Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam.

Aslam made the remark Tuesday night, during the ceremony held in HA. Dhidhdhoo to mark the launch of Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry service in Bodu Thiladhunmathi region – the islands in HA. Atoll and HDh. Atoll.

Speaking at the ceremony, Aslam noted that Maldives was composed of small islands scattered across the ocean.

Aslam said Maldives has islands formed over 5,000 years ago, some of which have been populated for over 2,000 years.

The scattered composition of the islands has always been the greatest challenge to development, he said.

“During each administration, efforts are made to bring the islands out of isolation and develop Maldives. One of the things done was to relocate people from one island to the other,” he said.

Aslam described such forced relocations as “inhumane”.

Aslam said the current administration’s plan to bring the islands out of isolation, irrespective of population size, was a nationwide transport system.

The RTL service, instead of relocation, is the current administration’s answer to the problem, he said.

Aslam said the RTL service will offer ease and benefit the entire Maldives in multiple avenues.

Aslam said that the current administration, instead of offering lip-service, was focused on conducting development projects and showing the results to the people.

With the RTL ferry service now available in Bodu Thiladhunmathi, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC)’s CEO Adam Azim states the entire Maldives will be linked via the service in the next 24 months.