Ihsan says Feydhoo’s decision reflects people’s will
Ihsan, who is from Feydhoo, and his father, Feydhoo South MP Ibrahim Didi, had both campaigned in favour of establishing an independent island council.
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Home Minister Ali Ihsan has said he respects the decision of Feydhoo residents to remain under the Addu City Council, following the referendum held on Saturday to decide whether the island should form a separate council.
Ihsan, who is from Feydhoo, and his father, Feydhoo South MP Ibrahim Didi, had both campaigned in favour of establishing an independent island council. However, nearly 75 per cent of voters in Feydhoo opposed the move.
Speaking to Dhauru, Ihsan said he had participated in the campaign not as a government minister but as a native of Feydhoo. “We were explaining that other islands with a similar population have their own island councils and the progress achieved through them,” he said. Feydhoo has an estimated population of about 6,000.
He noted that the majority of Feydhoo residents believe the island has developed under the Addu City Council. “The majority will decide, and especially such a large majority, I believe that decision reflects what is best for Feydhoo. I fully respect that decision,” Ihsan said.
He added that he hopes Feydhoo will continue to make progress under the current administrative structure. “The people of Feydhoo have decided that the island has developed under the Addu City Council. It is best to move forward in that direction,” he said.
According to the referendum results, 1,782 votes were cast against forming a separate island council, while 615 votes supported the proposal.
The referendum, which also took place in Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, resulted in both of those islands voting in favour of establishing individual island councils, while Feydhoo chose to remain part of the Addu City Council.
