The Government will be setting up a flying school in Addu Atoll to provide pilot training in the Maldives. This was disclosed by Atolls Minister and DRP's running mate Ahmed Thasmeen Ali to a huge rally in Hithadhoo last night. Thasmen was speaking to hundreds of supporters of President Gayoom's party DRP. Gayoom is contesting for the first ever multi party presidential election to be held next month. Addu Atoll is the southern most atolls where many people have been discontent about the government. There were many adduans in the opposition parties aiming to change the government of President Gayoom. But of late, many of these people have joined the government party after tourism and several other development projects have started in the atoll. Addu Atoll is the most densely populated atoll in the country.

Elaborating on the flying school project Thasmeen said the project will bring immense benefits to the people in the atoll. He said the government is pursuing a policy of expanding the economy and investments in the country. The flying school is one of them and it is being processed by the Foreign Investment Bureau of the Economic Development Ministry. The Agreement for establishing the flying school has already been signed. According to Thasmeen there will be a quota allocated for the four southern atolls in this pilot training school.

The project of the pilot training school will commence next year when the necessary budgetary allocations are provided. Pilots are highly in demand for the growing aviation industry in the country especially after several new tourist resorts have been opened in the atolls. Addu Atoll has already opened a big tourist resort and a second one under the Shangrila chain will soon be opened.

At the moment a large number of Maldivian pilots are trained overseas mainly in USA and Sri Lanka. Pilot training is one of the most expensive courses. It is expected, Maldivians trainees will get very concessional costs from the flying school to be established in Addu Atoll.

Presidential Candidate of Social Liberal Party (SLP) Ibrahim Ismail has called on DRP Leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to refrain from attempting to alter the country's history and mislead the people. Ibra made the call in response to Gayoom's remarks made at the recent Presidential Debate, aired by TVM under the Think Nation Campaign of legal Reform Ministry, that when he ‘came to power there were only 4 schools in the country' and that ‘schools in the atolls were built by him'.

Ibra speaking at a campaign rally in Maamendhoo of Laamu atoll said that was not how it was and called on DRP leader and presidential candidate to stop trying to alter the country's history.

Ibra revealed that before former President Ibrahim Nasir resigned, an agreement was signed between UNICEF and the government to build a community school in each atoll. Ibra further revealed that when President Gayoom assumed office in 1978, community schools were already functioning in Eydhafushi of Baa atoll and Vilingili of Ga atoll and that construction of another 2 schools were underway in 2 atolls. He said the Atoll Education Centers established in each atoll is part of that project and that the schools in islands were constructed by the people of the respective island on a voluntary basis when UNICEF provided all necessary materials. He said he knew of these facts because he was involved in managing the project.

Ibra speaking at rally condemned that DRP candidate's attempts to alter the country's history and attempts to take credit for aid given by international donor agencies and the resources of the state.

 
Independent Presidential Candidate Dr. Hassan Saeed has called on the People's Majlis to pay more attention to cutting down government expenditure. According to a statement issued by Dr. Hassan's campaign office Dr. Hassan made the in response to the Majlis committee's decision to provide Speaker of the Majlis and Chief Justice all expense government owned palaces.

In a presidential system, the People's Majlis, the Judiciary and the government are three independent powers that need to be working in the same level, the statement said. This is achieved by arranging authorities and functions in a manner that will prevent one specific power from trying to exert influence over the other. The allocation of equal budgets and equal privileges to the 3 powers instead of establishing independency or equality will eventually results in competitive sprit over the size and stature. This will result in an increase in expenditure leading to reduced funds to spend on citizen's basic services.

International financial organizations have revealed that Maldives government is a high spending government and is ranked on the top of the list, the statement said. Presidential Palace spends approximately Rf.500, 000 daily. Approximately 810 are employed in the service of the president excluding the president's security personnel. The statement noted that British Prime Minister only employs 211 staff.

"We should be thinking in terms of reducing government spending and increase spending on the people's welfare and betterment, there is no guarantee that by the end of this year there will left in the government's reserve to finance one weeks staple food for the people, it is not wise ,at this juncture to , to make huge expenditure during this transitional phase, I hope Majlis members will pay more attention to reducing government expenses , I call on the Majlis to take urgent steps to curb government expenditure" Dr. Hassan Saeed said.