The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company proudly carries the slogan "ithubaaraaeku" (meaning 'trusted') and also writes in the company's vision statement, "and be known as the company to be trusted to deliver what the customer wants".
According to the official website of the company, MTCC's authorized and issued share capital is RF 12,500,000 of which 52.5% is held by Government of Maldives represented by Ministry of Finance & Treasury, 7.5% is held by Maldives Shipping Limited and 40% is held by general public of Maldives. (source: www.mtcc.com.mv) From this I came to the conclusion that MTCC is a 'people's company'.
Anyway, let's hit the point without beating around the bush. I happen to travel quite often in the weekend ferries operated by MTCC to Baa Atoll. Ever since my first trip, I am deeply concerned about the plastic bags I find in the seat pocket infront of me. Quite shockingly, I have seen the "TEAM MTCC" staff of the ferries throw these bags into the open sea every time when a passenger vomits (which is quite a common scene). I keep wondering why a public company like MTCC would do this. I have seeing enough of this 'environmental abuse' and thought that I should do something. I happen to be part of an NGO (ENSURE) working for the rights of children and women, which has a strong foothold in Eydhafushi. We commemorated World Environment Day 2007 in Eydhafushi, from a children's perspective with the title "E is for Environment", generously supported by Sonevafushi Resort. We had 3 major activities. One of them was a petition signed by the children of Eydhafushi to MTCC requesting the company to ban the use of plastic bags in their weekend ferries. We managed to get more than 100 children sign the petition (not a bad number for just one island). The text of the petition reads,
"Whereas non-biodegradable plastic bags represent a persistent and ubiquitous source of pollution, a danger to the environment in general and marine animals including corals in particular, an unjustifiable waste of resource;
whereas the production of plastic bags consumes vast quantities of non-renewable fossil fuels;
whereas plastic bags are now consumed in staggering numbers and are accumulating in our environment at an alarming rate,
we, the undersigned, being the children of Eydhafushi of South Maalhosmadulu Atoll, ask the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company to immediately prohibit the distribution and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, in the inter-atoll ferries being operated by the Company, as an important and courageous measure to preserve this fragile environment of ours, for the generations to come."
We managed to hand deliver the signed petition to MTCC on 16th August 2007 at 13:10 hrs. I still have the receipt signed by the receptionist with the seal of MTCC, carefully filed in my folder. To date, we haven't heard anything from the company about the petition (at least saying that they have recieved this crazy petition).
I was glad to hear that MTCC has launched an environment friendly programme titled 'fehi dhuveli' on the night of 14th May 2008. The logo of the programme was officially launched by Tourism Minister Dr. Shaugee. (to read the newspaper article on the programme with all that boasting by MTCC you could visit http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=68206).
I travelled to Eydhafushi with MTCC a week before the campaign and also on the same weekend the program was launched. It was only a 'fehi dhuveli' by name. The plastic bags are still in the seat pockets. It's a shame! I wonder why they should start an environment friendly campaign while they were not courageous enough to take this simple step to protect the environment, the reefs and the marine life of this country, which is so important for the very existence of this nation. The 2x600 horse power 'Giulhu' will be travelling to Baa Atoll 11 hours after I post this in my blog. I wonder whether the plastic bags will still be there!??
World Environment Day 2008 is just a week behind. It's a coincidence that 5th June 2008 is a Thursday (the scheduled MTCC ferry goes from Male' to Eydhafushi on every Thursday). It's another nice coincidence that, president Qayyoom (aka, Father of Environment) will be in Eydhafushi to attend the official ceremonies to mark this year's World Environment Day, when the ferry anchors in the island harbour (with all the plastic bags, after throwing a good quantity to the open sea for the turtles to suffocate). I am confident that the president will not accept this irresponsible action from MTCC, if only he knew about this.
I wish I were there with a giant banner to request MTCC to kindly stop this irresponsible action from the company, if they want to get the trust of the common people. But I would be in Addu if things go according to plans, to attend the "Addu Commemorates World Environment Day 2008" programme, which is an initiative from Maavahi (an environmental NGO) of which I am a founder member. I still have my confidence in the management of MTCC that they will think seriously about this and make their operations truly 'green'! I have no hard feelings for MTCC and nothing personal. All this came through my love and passion for the environment. And after all, it's our company.... the trusted, people's company!
According to the official website of the company, MTCC's authorized and issued share capital is RF 12,500,000 of which 52.5% is held by Government of Maldives represented by Ministry of Finance & Treasury, 7.5% is held by Maldives Shipping Limited and 40% is held by general public of Maldives. (source: www.mtcc.com.mv) From this I came to the conclusion that MTCC is a 'people's company'.
Anyway, let's hit the point without beating around the bush. I happen to travel quite often in the weekend ferries operated by MTCC to Baa Atoll. Ever since my first trip, I am deeply concerned about the plastic bags I find in the seat pocket infront of me. Quite shockingly, I have seen the "TEAM MTCC" staff of the ferries throw these bags into the open sea every time when a passenger vomits (which is quite a common scene). I keep wondering why a public company like MTCC would do this. I have seeing enough of this 'environmental abuse' and thought that I should do something. I happen to be part of an NGO (ENSURE) working for the rights of children and women, which has a strong foothold in Eydhafushi. We commemorated World Environment Day 2007 in Eydhafushi, from a children's perspective with the title "E is for Environment", generously supported by Sonevafushi Resort. We had 3 major activities. One of them was a petition signed by the children of Eydhafushi to MTCC requesting the company to ban the use of plastic bags in their weekend ferries. We managed to get more than 100 children sign the petition (not a bad number for just one island). The text of the petition reads,
"Whereas non-biodegradable plastic bags represent a persistent and ubiquitous source of pollution, a danger to the environment in general and marine animals including corals in particular, an unjustifiable waste of resource;
whereas the production of plastic bags consumes vast quantities of non-renewable fossil fuels;
whereas plastic bags are now consumed in staggering numbers and are accumulating in our environment at an alarming rate,
we, the undersigned, being the children of Eydhafushi of South Maalhosmadulu Atoll, ask the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company to immediately prohibit the distribution and use of non-biodegradable plastic bags, in the inter-atoll ferries being operated by the Company, as an important and courageous measure to preserve this fragile environment of ours, for the generations to come."
We managed to hand deliver the signed petition to MTCC on 16th August 2007 at 13:10 hrs. I still have the receipt signed by the receptionist with the seal of MTCC, carefully filed in my folder. To date, we haven't heard anything from the company about the petition (at least saying that they have recieved this crazy petition).
I was glad to hear that MTCC has launched an environment friendly programme titled 'fehi dhuveli' on the night of 14th May 2008. The logo of the programme was officially launched by Tourism Minister Dr. Shaugee. (to read the newspaper article on the programme with all that boasting by MTCC you could visit http://www.haveeru.com.mv/?page=details&id=68206).
I travelled to Eydhafushi with MTCC a week before the campaign and also on the same weekend the program was launched. It was only a 'fehi dhuveli' by name. The plastic bags are still in the seat pockets. It's a shame! I wonder why they should start an environment friendly campaign while they were not courageous enough to take this simple step to protect the environment, the reefs and the marine life of this country, which is so important for the very existence of this nation. The 2x600 horse power 'Giulhu' will be travelling to Baa Atoll 11 hours after I post this in my blog. I wonder whether the plastic bags will still be there!??
World Environment Day 2008 is just a week behind. It's a coincidence that 5th June 2008 is a Thursday (the scheduled MTCC ferry goes from Male' to Eydhafushi on every Thursday). It's another nice coincidence that, president Qayyoom (aka, Father of Environment) will be in Eydhafushi to attend the official ceremonies to mark this year's World Environment Day, when the ferry anchors in the island harbour (with all the plastic bags, after throwing a good quantity to the open sea for the turtles to suffocate). I am confident that the president will not accept this irresponsible action from MTCC, if only he knew about this.
I wish I were there with a giant banner to request MTCC to kindly stop this irresponsible action from the company, if they want to get the trust of the common people. But I would be in Addu if things go according to plans, to attend the "Addu Commemorates World Environment Day 2008" programme, which is an initiative from Maavahi (an environmental NGO) of which I am a founder member. I still have my confidence in the management of MTCC that they will think seriously about this and make their operations truly 'green'! I have no hard feelings for MTCC and nothing personal. All this came through my love and passion for the environment. And after all, it's our company.... the trusted, people's company!
Lots of Maldivians and visitors from other countries do vitness that the campaign launched by MTCC is only by name. I personally have seing the Campaigners ferry boats in Addu are throwing the plastic bags, emty milo packets and buiscuit packets even after the campaign. Found that no good action being taken by MTCC to stop this bad behaviour of spoiling our own envioronement in which our ecenomy is depnding on. Wish Mumoon's speach in Eydhafushi is only a nasty speach same like before and wish that MTCC will also take good action to STOP this bad behaviour. Thank you for taking the initiative. Wish Ya success. Naad
ReplyDeletethanks naad for the encouragement. I wish people like u guys are still with us to get this kind of campaigns going.
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