Legislation is the only way to resolve power outages and ensure the delivery of essential services: Shahid

The Member of Parliament for the Hulhudhoo constituency, Mohamed Shahid, has stated that providing essential services to the public and resolving persistent power outages can only be achieved by enacting new legislation or amending existing laws.

During Wednesday's parliamentary sitting, MP Shahid highlighted the importance of legislative reforms to enhance the quality of essential services in the Maldives while debating the bill to amend the Utility Regulatory Authority Act.

The member stated that the Utility Regulatory Authority's mandate extends beyond merely adjusting tariffs; it is also the authority's responsibility to monitor and ensure the quality of the infrastructure used to provide these services.

During the debate, he highlighted the ongoing electricity crisis facing the districts of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo in Addu City.

The responsibility of a regulatory board or authority extends beyond merely adjusting electricity tariffs. Their mandate must include ensuring that services are provided efficiently and reliably. They must oversee whether infrastructure, such as transformers, cables, and generators, is maintained to the highest standards. It is essential that the authority monitors and evaluates the service at this level of technical detail.

Mohamed Shahid

Criticizing the previous administration, MP Shahid stated that despite awarding a 185 million MVR project to construct a powerhouse in Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo, the work remains incomplete. He further alleged that the former government awarded projects to incompetent parties for political gain, resulting in the continuous disruption of essential services that citizens are entitled to receive.

Furthermore, the member noted that authorities and boards were previously established merely as a means to create salaried positions. However, he stated that the current administration is working to implement genuine reforms to ensure the permanent delivery of water, sewerage, and electricity services to the public.

Electricity, water, and waste management services will be established. Our administration is working tirelessly day and night to ensure the delivery of all these essential services. Relevant ministries and state-owned enterprises are working in coordination with the government to achieve this. These projects require time, which is the primary challenge we are currently facing. Therefore, I ask the public to remain patient. A permanent solution to these issues can only be achieved if the Parliament genuinely supports the government by passing the necessary legislative reforms and new laws. We must address the existing legal hurdles to ensure these services are sustainably delivered.

Mohamed Shahid

Shahid further stated that resolving such significant issues would require time and urged the public to remain patient. He also assured that once Parliament passes the necessary legislative reforms requested by the government, the President's efforts would deliver visible development and permanent solutions for the people.