As part of the government’s efforts to prevent drug abuse and drug trafficking, the cabinet has decided to set up a Narcotics Control and Governance Structure. The cabinet also decided to establish a Narcotics Control Council (NCC) to be run under the President’s Office. The cabinet made these decisions at the cabinet meeting held this afternoon at the President’s Office.
Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed will be the chairman of the NCC. The council will include members from the Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health and Family; Ministry of Human Resources, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Islamic Affairs; Attorney General’s Office; Maldives Customs Service; Department of Immigration and Emigration; and, Maldives National Defence Force. In addition the Commissioner of Police will also be a member of the Council.
The cabinet decided to set up a Narcotics Control and Governance Structure, in recognition of the fact that the exponential growth of substance abuse was one the greatest challenges faced by the nation. Prevention of drug abuse and drug trafficking is also one of the key pledges of the government.
The Narcotics Control Council will hold its first meeting shortly and will determine the key tasks of the Council.
In addition, the cabinet also decided that the Maldives National Defence Force would oversee the security of Male’ International Airport in accordance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Communication will make and implement all the civil aviation regulations in accordance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
