MDP to request an emergency sitting over the Green Building fire

Opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to request an emergency sitting of the Parliament in relation to the fire which broke out on Thursday morning at the Green Building which housed multiple ministries of the government, including the Housing and Construction Ministry as well as the Environment Ministry.

In a press conference yesterday, the party's parliamentary group leader MP Ibrahim Nazil said that the fire incident coincidentally took place on the last day of the Parliament's current term. As such, the Parliament was unable to do any work regarding the incident, he added.

MDP said they will be asking Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla to hold an emergency session to do the work. An extraordinary session can only held at the request of at least 31 members.

Because of this, an emergency meeting cannot be held at the request of 12 MDP members alone. Highlighting this, Nazil said that the fire incident is a matter of great concern to the people, which is why the support of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) members is also needed.

MDP has also proposed a full investigation into the fire by the 241 committee of parliament.

Nazil claimed there is Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)'s negligence in the fire spreading to the Green Building adjacent to the Housing Ministry, which caused the building to completely burn down. As such, the party has decided to take the matter to the National Integrity Commission (NIC) as well.

The South Hithadhoo MP also said the government lacks seriousness despite the burning of three key ministries and their properties and documents.