President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has urged all councils including those in atolls, islands and cities to extend their full support for the incumbent government’s decentralized development vision.
Sitting down with the members of the island council and Women’s Development Committee of Lhaimagu island in Shaviyani atoll, the president called on councils to support the government implement its vision of decentralized development nationwide.
Highlighting that councils have the authority and financial autonomy to pave development for their respective communities, President Solih urged them to make good use of the resources provided to them, for the benefit of their communities.
Lhaimagu councilors briefed the president on concerns raised by the community, mainly regarding the ongoing harbor upgrade project, healthcare upgrade, establishment of a police station, coastal protection project as well as the initiative to improve electricity services.
As part of their visit to Lhaimagu on Tuesday, the first couple toured the harbor expansion site as well as the Lhaimagu School. The island is the second destination of the first couple during their ongoing three-day tour of eight islands in Shaviyani and Raa atolls which began on Tuesday. Their first stop was in Funadhoo island where he sat down with the island council and WDC as well.
Further, the president also met with the council and WDC of Foakaidhoo Island and briefed them on the development project initiated and planned for the island as well. This was his third destination of the tour.
The island councilors noted that the island was greatly neglected in previous administrations, thanking the incumbent president for efforts to bring progress to the island. The government has initiated a harbor upgrade project, water and sewerage development project and the project to establish a new powerhouse on the island.
Councilors went on to share concern such as the need for road development, space scarcity in the hospital, beach erosion, the need for housing solutions, and concerns regarding the project underway to establish a local football field. WDC members face the issue of being unable to conduct meetings as they do not have an office yet.
First Lady Fazna toured the island school, where the management was gifted with books on anti-bullying and sexual harassment awareness. She was briefed on challenges surfacing for the school, by the management.
Further, the president sat down with the fishing and farming communities of Foakaidhoo, where he assured that the administration’s strategies to evolve fisheries and agriculture will enrich the industries further. The government’s strategies include boosting MIFCO’s capacity, add value to exports, utilizing its vessels for exports and cost-cutting measures.
During the visit, the president toured the island’s Health Center and briefed the employees there on a health center expansion project planned for 2022. He visited the island’s football field as well.
Meeting the members of the Maaungoodhoo council and WDC, the president was reassured of the council’s commitment to support the government’s decentralized development vision.
Maaungoodhoo council members shared the concerns of the people, including water and sewerage services, the FENAKA office building, harbor issues, delay in the school's multi-purpose hall project, coastline protection, need for a modern mosque, a swimming area, establishment of a police station and the upgrade of their football field.
Solih, updating the councils he has met so far on the trip on the development projects and initiatives planned for the island, assured them that the issues risen would be shared with relevant government bodies in order to find quick solutions.
The First Couple met students in the Maaungoodhoo School, teachers and parents during the tour. The island was the fourth destination of the trip.
The First Couple departed on the two-atoll tour at 11am on Tuesday. The three-day tour is of four islands of Shaviyani atoll; Funadhoo, Lhaimagu, Foakaidhoo and Maaungoodhoo as well as four islands of Raa atoll; Vaadhoo, Alifushi, Rasgetheem and Angolhitheem.
Some senior government officials, Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail and Managing Director of state utilities company FENAKA Corporation are joining the First Couple on the trip.
On Wednesday the team will be touching down in Vaadhoo and Alifushi. Further, the team will also be visiting Rasgetheem and Angolhitheem on Thursday. The First Couple is scheduled to conclude their trip and return on Thursday.
During the course of the trip, the president will officially inaugurate the Job Center established in Alifushi island of Raa atoll, by the Economic Ministry.
