Kaashidhoo Constituency MP Faisal Naseem has stated that even though all ferries in operation cannot be of the highest quality, security measures can be implemented.
Faisal said that in other nations, land transportation safety is given utmost importance but in Maldives, sea transportation safety is the biggest concern. He said that the biggest accidents had occurred due to the lack of safety measures.
Faisal said that many travel across the seas, usually, long, arduous and grueling.
“My constituency is one such example. Sea travel to Kaashidhoo takes around five or six hours and usually Kaashidhoo sea is turbulent,” Faisal said.
He said that it will be difficult to standardize all ferries at the same time. Nevertheless, Faisal said that security measures cannot be scrimped on and therefore should be implemented immediately.
He noted that the ferries between Male’, Vilingili, Hulhule’ and Hulhumale’ were the most busy ferries and as such, they have to cater for the differently abled. Faisal said that in other countries, priority will be given senior citizens, pregnant women and children, when seating. However, Faisal said that no such consideration is given in the Maldives.
Faisal stressed that a priority seating system for the differently abled should be encapsulated when the transportation act is amended from the Parliament. He urged that the assistance of Coast Guard and Marine police should be sought for the act.
Security measures can be implemented even if ferries are not of high quality: Faisal
