The government succeeded in initiating 85 percent of development pledges despite the setbacks caused by Covid-19, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

As part of his ongoing two-day tour of five islands in Noonu atoll, the president met the community of Maafaru island, his first stop of the tour, on Tuesday.

The residents of the island were assured by the president that the administration stands committed to deliver its pledges.

The president was briefed regarding the island community’s vision for progress of the island, as well as their needs and concerns including improving healthcare services, issues related to the island council’s jurisdiction as well as concerns linked to the Maafaru International Airport

Listening to these concerns, the president updated the community on the government’s development efforts and plans backed for the island.

As such, noting that the government highly prioritizes improving healthcare services in the island, especially since it is home to an international airport, the president stated that the government is working resiliently to extend the service hours of the health center.

The community was also briefed on the project to develop a hospital on the island.

Some other topics of importance shed light on during the meeting included improving school infrastructure and expanding the airport, including extending the runway, developing an airport hotel, and improving refueling services and other essential services.

The president went on to urge the public to be alert and careful and to obey Health Protection Agency (HPA) guidelines on the circulation of the new Omicron coronavirus variant.