All the President's men must help him (in population consolidation)

President Mohamed Nasheed has been doing a lot of good work and he is receiving plaudits for same. We are a small country with meager resources, and managing these resources efficiently is a need of the hour. We have a dearth of human resource and the government must make good use of those available. Here, President Nasheed deserves congratulations for appointing some very good boards and commissions consisting of good and capable people. The new Board of the Bank of Maldives, new board of directors of most companies and new labour tribunal are good examples. A lot of people have praised the President for his diplomacy and sagacity in making many good decisions and taming old rivals. These are real qualities of a good leader. A friend of mine told me few days ago he is very happy about some of President Nasheed's policies. But he remarked the President has also made some mistakes which is costly to his political career. But the good thing is he is also quick in correcting most of those mistakes, my friend added.

President Nashee's fast track programmes on decentralising of the atolls and privatising some of the essential services are receiving mixed reaction. Although he has to do his best to strengthen his party, MDP, many feel formulating more focused and result-oriented policies and programmes in the broader interest of the nation is essential if Nasheed is to become a leader of eminence and posterity. There are concerns about the lack of proper information about the everyday functions of his Government.
While President Nasheed has been a key leader of the unprecedented reform struggle, there are critics who feel President Nasheed has not been true to his promises of democracy and that he is putting the interests of his party above national interests. Such critics argue that Nasheed has completely overlooked one of the fundamental policies of the country, which is the policy and programme on population consolidation.
The President being intelligent and foresighted must realise how critical it is for the Maldives facing serious environmental, social and economic challenges, to launch a national programme to resettle people from smaller difficult and vulnerable islands to larger and safer islands where there are the opportunities and services so profoundly demanded by the people. We do not have the resources to provide all these services and develop nearly 200 islands, it is both extremely costly and socially and economically not viable. We must dedicate to more sustainable and meaningful development if we want to achieve a dignified and prosperous living for all. It is not a policy of a certain party, it has to be our number one national policy and priority. If a special programme and special Ministry is dedicated for this all important priority, there will be encouraging results.

The fear of our leaders is they want to win the coming elections, they fear lest they loose the power if they chose holistic policies which will in the beginning will meet some resistance and criticism. There may be protests, closure of offices, calls and chants for resignation, but the country really need another BoduThakurufaanu. A leader who can fight and win the battle not with guns but through wisdom and foresight. President Nasheed was believed to be a person who has the courage and sagacity to lead us to the other Maldives. We can start this programme immediately by dedicating a percent of the national budget and resettling a sizable population in Hulumale', Laamu Gan, Addu Hithadhoo and more larger islands. Some of them can be developed into modern cities better than Male'.
(Reproduced and edited extracts from the original article of Ali Husham / Miadhu Daily)