Parliament, on Monday, rejected the emergency motion submitted over frequent power interruptions affecting the linked islands of Addu City that has hindered the daily lives of residents of the City, which was supported by opposition MDP and ruling PNC’s Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan Marzooq.
The emergency motion was submitted by MDP’s South Hithadhoo Ibrahim Nazil.
In a vote held at Monday’s sitting, the motion was rejected with the votes of 47 MPs representing ruling PNC. 12 MPs had in favor of accepting motions: MDP MPs and Azan.
Notably, relations between PNC and Azan have strained after the lawmaker chose to skip the vote on accepting the controversial judicature bill aimed at downsizing the Supreme Court bench from seven to five justices as the top court reviewed a case challenging a contentious amendment to add anti-defection provisions to the Constitution adding three more circumstances where parliamentarians will lose their seat, including if they are expelled from their political party. Subsequently, PNC has stated action will be taken against Azaan. He has also been removed from key parliamentary committees.
Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan. (Photo/People's Majlis)
The emergency motion submitted on Monday accused the government of being repeatedly negligent in providing electricity to Addu City. Noting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had pledged to resolve the power interruptions before Ramadan, the emergency motion raised concerns over the fact that the issue has been not resolved almost halfway into the holy month.
In the motion, Nazil emphasized that power outages have significantly disrupted the daily lives of Addu City residents. It was specified that these interruptions have prevented offices and businesses from offering services to the public and have caused damage to expensive electrical appliances, such as TVs, air conditioners, and refrigerators.
Citing Fenaka Corporation which provides electricity services in Addu City, Nazil said the power interruptions in the City is due to the fact that three generator sets in the Central Power Station have not been repaired. In this regard, it was detailed that the generator sets had not been repaired as the spare parts required for the purpose had not been facilitated by Male’ head office.
Nazil stressed that only a 1.8-megawatt generator set had been sent to Addu City to resolve the issue despite Central Power Station repeatedly reiterating two generator sets of three-megawatts were required to resolve the issue.
Nazil, underscoring it was the government’s legal responsibility to take all measures necessary to resolve the power issue at Addu City, called on the government to fulfill the responsibility immediately.
Frequent power interruptions at Addu City have been raised since the current administration assumed office.
Addu City residents protest over frequent power interruptions on March 7. 2025.
Tensions have reached boiling point as the power outages continue into Ramadan. Addu Mayor Ali Nizar had warned the residents of the city have no choice but to rise in protest over the government’s failure to resolve the issue.
Notably, residents of the City had protested at the Gan International Airport as the heads of Fenaka Corporation – managing director Mohamed Najah and deputy managing director Mohamed Arif – arrived for a visit.
Dozens of protestors demanded a permanent solution to the frequent power outages, and asking for an update on the generator the utility company promised to bring in “very soon.”
They also held protests on Friday. 
This was in reference to the company’s announcement last week that an additional 1.8-megawatt generator will be sent to the city “very soon”.