Addu City: More Than Just a Name

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This was a comment I made to a friend's status, regarding the contentious issue of Addu City. 

Ahmed Nadeem 
I am really pissed-off when people don't think about consequences of the ruling by civil court yesterday. I am really pissed-off when I see people, otherwise so blunt and indifferent about the rule of law and upholding the constitution, suddenly finds this as something to be proud of and how this one decision is going to make the judiciary so free and fair in all its actions. I am pissed-off when I find people talking about services or the lack of it as the sole basis for making Addu a city, bloody ignorant on the decentralization act and the authorities vested in the city council and the people through the act. I am pissed because none of the people who talks so proudly about city council with "ma ves city akah addu hadhan beynun, but ganoonai ehgothah" tagline have not read the act itself; have not understood why the people actually NEEDS a city council. I am really pissed when a lot of people fail to see the authorities vested in the people through the city council with just the "NAME" and how we can put those those authorities to good use in the many aspects of decentralized local governance, in the many developmental processes planned ahead and in formulating, prioritizing and expediting new developmental projects in the future. The problem is everybody has an opinion based on the mass media/political affiliation and just too bloody proud to dish out them. I am not happy with the ruling of the civil court; however, I am not happy with the subsequent actions on the street last night either. I sincerely hope that people realizes what we are going to miss because of this ruling and what impact will that have on the future of our community.


Half an hour later, I sat down and re-read what I had written — and I couldn’t help but notice just how emotionally attached I’ve become to this issue. Obsessed? Maybe. But I can’t help it. Because I truly believe that a City Council is the only practical, legal vehicle through which local councils can play a substantial role in shaping the future of our communities. I’ve seen firsthand how ministries and SOEs design projects in isolation — often disconnected from local realities — and I know how critical it is to have a legal framework that empowers the people, not just to comment, but to co-design and co-implement. Without it, we’re just waiting, watching, and hoping for the best — and that’s not governance. That’s surrender.



Another comment on the same thread:


Ali Shameem Nadheem, totaly agree with you, that's the reason I said we have to realized what is happenig and how we adduans are used in this dirty politics, from the past and even now. the question is how long we have to let us to be played as main card of the country's politics. isn't this the time that we all get united and stand together to flight for our future. Isn't it the time we have to realize that no one will come form out side to support the interest and the dream that we all see the as the future of Addu.
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My Response was another emotional appeal:

Ahmed Nadeem 
‎@ALi, I totally agree with you. But the sad thing is there is so much misinformation about critical issues like Addu City which is being manipulated to gain personnel agendas; when it gives us so much hope to realize our dreams [and I again emphasize that this is not because of a fancy name, but because it gives us the chance to be more involved and have a greater legitimate say in building the dream we all have for Addu community]. Whatever the reason behind the city concept, whether it is for political reason or pressure or really genuine intentions, we Adduan as a community should not reject it, but do everything to receive those authorities. The problem is there are so many of us who fall pawn to political manipulation; I do not see any downside to giving Addu city status for the people of Addu. And that is why I am so pissed that some people among us use the courts and other means to score points against the government using this. Why don't we let it be?
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