Majlis Speaker's Official Residence Costs State Nearly MVR 100,000 A Month

Muraidhooge, the official residence of the Majlis Speaker, currently former President Mohamed Nasheed, costs the State MVR 13,900 a month in electric and water bills.

The Majlis Secretariat responded to The Maldives Journal's information request for the monthly costs incurred by the State for maintaining the Majlis Speaker's official residence.

According to the data provided by the Majlis Secretariat, the utility bills for Muraidhooge cost MVR 13,978 per month; household maintenance costs MVR 19,364 per month. MVR 842 is spent, per month, on stationery and office supplies. Excluding the wages of employees, maintaining Muraidhooge costs the State MVR 34,185 per month in total.

The Majlis Speaker, along with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, had been assigned their own official residences by the State after a legal amendment had been made after the May 2021 attempt on Majlis Speaker Nasheed's life. Prior to the attack, Speaker Nasheed had been residing in Galolhu Kenereege, his family home.

The legal amendment now prescribed that the State provide the Majlis Speaker, and their family, an official residence staffed with the necessary employees. The expenses of maintaining the residence would also be borne by the State.

The Majlis Secretariat had also shared the monthly expenses on personnel who staff Muraidhooge.

Excluding security personnel, Muraidhooge is staffed with 6 employees; 2 Bureau staff, a General Service Officer, a chef, and 2 housekeepers.

The State therefore incurs a total MVR 62,862 per month to pay for the personnel at Muraidhooge. These employees are also eligible for over-time pay.

With employee wages, the State incurs a cost of MVR 97,047 per month to maintain Muraidhooge.

It is also likely that a large cost would be incurred to provide security for the residence, as well.

Muraidhooge, and its surrounding area, underwent several changes to accommodate Speaker Nasheed. The streets around the the house had been marked as "red zones"; parking and loitering is prohibited there.

Work on Muraidhooge had not been completed when Speaker Nasheed returned to Maldives after being treated for his injuries following the May 6 attack. Therefore, he lived at the Hotel Jen, and his stay was covered by the State; each day he spent at the Hotel Jen cost the State MVR 33,246. After 21 days of living at the Hotel Jen, the State was left with a hefty charge of MVR 698,168.

Previously, the State only provided an official residence for the President. However, following the legal amendment, temporary housing has been provided for the Majlis Speaker and the Chief Justice. A total MVR 12 million has been budgeted to develop the buildings for the official residences.