In a bid to address the housing needs in outlying atolls, 1,575 housing units are being built across 14 islands, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Taking the podium at the ceremony held to hand over the newly built 100 housing units in Naifaru Island in Lhaviyani Atoll to the island council, President Solih revealed that the project is in different stages of development.

Of the 1,575 housing units, the president stated that tenders have been announced for 970 units to be developed in eight islands.

Shedding light on the units build in Naifaru, the president acknowledged that the longstanding demand for housing on the island is yet to be addressed.

Further speaking regarding other development projects that are currently underway and planner for the island and region, the president noted that the administration was investing heavily in the expansion and modernization of the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) and increasing the fish storage and processing capacity in Felivaru Island.

With this, he assured the fisher community in Naifaru that the initiative would solve difficulties in acquiring ice.

The president announced a project to make ice accessible in all islands where FENAKA Corporation operates.

Going on to shed light on other issues that affect the island, the president announced plans to sign a contract with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to resolve difficulties in accessing the northern entrance channel of the harbor and announced plans to develop the main roads of the island, followed by the completion of the water and sewerage network project.

Plans are also underway to reclaim land in the island.

Trials in the first phase of the Integrated National Public Ferry Network are currently underway in Haa Alif, Haa Dhaal, and Shaviyani Atolls, in regards to which the president highlighted that Lhaviyani Atoll will be linked via the ferry network in the next phase of the project.

Expressing commitment to ensure nationwide development, while avoiding discrimination between smaller and larger population centers, the president assured that lacking specialist services will also be introduced at the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital soon.

Built under a design-and-build policy, the 100 new housing units in Naifaru Island were developed by Rasheed Carpentry and Construction and features three bedrooms in each of the 1,000 square-feet units.