BREAKING: Dhapparu to be reinstated to Filladhoo jurisdiction

Connected islands of Filladhoo and Dhapparu (L) Filladhoo residential area (R) | Photo: Googleearth

Malé, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, today, decided to reinstate Dhapparu to Filladhoo’s Jurisdiction.

Spokesperson of the President’s Office Mabrook Azeez said that after discussions with the Filladhoo Island Council, the Economic Council further evaluated the situation. The President has since decided to restore Dhapparu to the jurisdiction of Filladhoo.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s released a decree on 29 August 2021 to remove Dhapparu from Filladhoo’s jurisdiction without any prior discussion with the islanders. The islanders of Filladhoo started signing the petition on 1 September 2021 to request Dhapparu to be added back to Filladhoo’s jurisdiction.

On 21 September 2021, the Locals of HA. Filladhoo and Filladhoo Council together submitted a signed petition urging the authorities to reconsider the decision to remove Dhapparu from Filladhoo’s jurisdiction.

The petition under the #SaveDhapparu campaign, signed by 457 people has been submitted at the Parliament of the Maldives and the President’s Office.

The government decision to arbitrarily remove Dhapparu from Filladhoo’s jurisdiction was received with criticism from the locals of the island, public and human rights NGOs.

Taking into account the Filladhoo Council’s stance, the President has now decided to reinstate Dhapparu to the Filladhoo jurisdiction.