Despite misgivings over project delays, Kulhudhuffushi Mayor Mohamed Athif said last night that he decided to support President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih because there was no better option.
The decision was based on assurances that a golden five years lie ahead for the city, the mayor said, responding to criticism and mockery of leaving The Democrats and rejoining the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) along with Kulhudhuffushi Uthuru MP Yasir Abdul Latheef and city council members.
"The assurance I give to you is that there is no deal that we made for the personal benefit of any of us. I assure all of you of that tonight. But we did make a deal with President Ibu. That is a deal we made in your name," Athif said at a meeting of MDP members in Kulhudhuffushi.
The development of Kulhudhuffushi as a result of the deal would be worth over MVR 1 billion, he said.
The Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) has been enlisted to solve the city's garbage problem, President Solih has assured that MVR 30 will be reduced from the monthly sewage fee, and an announcement will be made before the election to build 1000 housing units under contractor financing, Athif said.
"We couldn't say no to that deal. Saying no to that deal would be a betrayal of Kulhudhuffushi," he said.
No choice but President Solih
As the People's National Congress (PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was the only realistic rival for the incumbent in the September 9 election, President Solih was the only choice, Athif said.
"As I see it, only the PPM [Progressive Party of Maldives] will compete at all with President Ibu. The public has to decide whether we go for PPM or MDP. There's no need to even think about another candidate. No thought of it," Athif said after endorsing the president.
To back up his assertion of Solih as the only option, Athif referred to the PNC candidate's record as housing minister.
Housing units built in Kulhudhuffushi during the MDP's first government were allowed to fall into ruin for seven years during Muizzu's tenure as minister, Athif noted. At the time, an announcement for awarding land plots from the island was also made from the Fenaka office instead of the council, he added.
"The candidate who is coming to us today and advocating for our vote was the housing minister then. No one in their right mind in Kulhudhuffushi would vote for Muizzu," Athif said.
Despite Muizzu saying he will implement former President Abdulla Yameen's policies if elected, he has been declaring support for decentralization, which is contrary to the jailed opposition leader's ideology.
However, the government took over the Male city council's powers when Muizzu was housing minister. The powers of councils in other islands including Kulhudhuffushi were also diluted, which Athif noted among the reasons for not voting for Muizzu.
"Today he's talking about the decentralization system, saying that Hulhumale' will be given to the city council as well. But how can we believe that? It's the person who took all of the city council's powers in his fist back then who is saying this. So today there's no other way but Ibu. There's no choice but Ibu for anyone," Athif said.
Athif said it would not be difficult for President Solih to win 70 percent of the vote from Kulhudhuffushi.
