Abdulla Sodiq (politician)
Abdulla Sodiq | |
|---|---|
އަބްދުﷲ ސާދިޤް | |
Portrait, 2021 | |
| Mayor of Addu City | |
| In office 24 February 2011 – 17 May 2021 | |
| President | Mohamed Nasheed Mohamed Waheed Hassan Abdulla Yameen Ibrahim Mohamed Solih |
| Succeeded by | Ali Nizar |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Maldivian Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of South Australia (BSc) |
Abdulla Sodiq (Dhivehi: އަބްދުﷲ ސާދިޤް), popularly known as Sobé, is a Maldivian politician who served as the first mayor of Addu City, Maldives.[1] He was elected mayor in February 2011 for a three-year term as mandated by the newly instated Decentralization Act. He was reelected on 1 February 2014. His tenure ended in 2021 and succeeded by the current mayor Ali Nizar.[2]
Early life
He did his higher education at the University of South Australia where he got his Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry & Chemical Technology.[3] He also previously worked as a teacher.[3]
Career
Atoll councillor
Sodiq was soon appointed an atoll councillor of Addu City, Maldives following the presidential election of 2008.[3][4] Since then, Sodiq has worked to create development opportunities for Addu Atoll. One of his most noteworthy accomplishments during his term in office was to lobby for legislation to grant city status[5] to Addu City and create the legal framework for the management of municipal funds and development planning by a city council for Addu Atoll. The improved efficiency of operating local municipalities (atolls and islands) through this reformed process removed political and administrative obstacles.
Mayoralty
Sodiq assumed office as the first mayor of Addu City on 24 February 2011.[1] President Mohamed Nasheed's decision to hold the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation summit in Addu City facilitated investments in public infrastructure including the construction of Hithadhoo district's main road (Dhivehi: ބޮޑުމަގު), which spanned up to 4.5 km and the renovation of street-lights in Addu City. The government also completed the construction of the Equatorial Convention Center (ECC) in Addu City exclusively to host the 17th SAARC summit in the Maldives. The Government's effort in instating Addu City was part of its plan to showcase a model for development in the SAARC region and place Addu City on the world map.[6]
Among other projects that have been initiated during Sodiq's term in office are the Hulhumeedhoo Harbor and Sewerage Project,[7] Feydhoo Harbor Project, and the Feydhoo and Maradhoo Road Construction Project with the assistance of the Government of Sri Lanka.[8] Sodiq also banned single use plastic in the city.[9]
Sodiq was reelected as mayor in 2014 and in 2017.[10] In January 2020, Sodiq ran in the Maldivian Democratic Party's primary for the 2021 local election but lost to Ali Nizar.[11]
Post–mayoralty
In October 2021, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih appointed Sodiq as the Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.[12] He was stationed in Addu City and oversaw infrastructure projects going in the city.[13]
References
- ^ a b "Adam Manik reappointed Mayor of Male' as councils sworn in". Maldives Independent. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "MDP loses Addu City super majority". The Times of Addu. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Abdulla Sodig appointed as Minister of State for Planning". PSM News. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "The President appoints three councillors". The President's Office. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "President re-declares Addu a city". Haveeru Daily. 10 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
- ^ "Hosting SAARC Summit will Put Addu on the World Map – says the President". The President's Office. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "President Launches Harbour and Sewerage Projects in Hulhudhoo-Meedhoo". The President's Office. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Inauguration of Final Phase of Maradhoo and Feydhoo Main Road Construction". The President's Office. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ Mohamed, Shahudha (19 June 2019). "Addu City to ban single-use plastics". The Edition. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ Aishath, Shaany (4 June 2017). "Opposition members elected as mayors and deputies of all city councils". Raajje TV. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ Osmanagic, Ameera (1 February 2020). "Mayor of Addu City loses MDP primary ticket". The Times of Addu. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "President appoints new Minister of State for National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure". The President's Office. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ^ "Addu ex-mayor Abdulla Sodiq appointed as State Minister of National Planning & Infrastructure". The Times of Addu. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2026.