The parliament has rejected an emergency motion moved by Hulhumale' South MP Ahmed Shamheed to bring the issue of yesterday's power outage in the Male' region, disrupting health services and communication services and bringing businesses to a halt, to the attention of the government.
Pro-government MPs voted to reject the motion. Forty-three MPs voted to reject it while nine MPs voted in favour. However, ruling party MP Ahmed Azaan voted in favour of the motion.
The motion stated that a total blackout has never been experienced in the Greater Male' Region in the past and expressed concern that such a power outage could affect patients and damage equipment used in the healthcare facilities.
It also highlighted that the power outage affected businesses while the airport came to a halt, disrupting the movement of many tourists. It added that parliamentarians must debate the issue to bring it to the attention of the government.
The power outage occurred at 12:30 pm in Male' and Hulhumale'. Electricity service was restored in hospital areas at around 2:05 pm. At around 4:30 pm, electricity service was restored in 60 percent of Male' and Hulhumale' Phase 1 and by 6:00 pm, electricity service was restored in all areas across the city.
State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) has not yet announced the cause of the blackout. However, the company said no engines or transformers were seriously damaged.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ordered an inquiry into the power outage. Police said the investigation was launched yesterday afternoon.
Adhadhu understands that officers from the police and the military entered the State Trading Organization (STO) building in Hulhumale' today in connection with the power cut. But details are not available.
