Fuvahmulah City Council has extended gratitude to the government for the prompt response to the issues raised in the last meeting with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

As part of the president’s ongoing trip to Fuvahmulah and Addu cities which commenced on Friday, he sat down with the city councilors to hold extensive discussions regarding the socioeconomic progress of the city, as well as development tactics for upcoming projects.

Noting how the government has addressed most of the issues raised in the last meeting with the president, the councilors extended gratitude for the prompt response.

President Solih was briefed on the needs and concerns of the city residents during the meeting, which also saw discussions on measures to expedite ongoing and planned socioeconomic development initiatives.

Requesting the president to facilitate a way for the council to obtain the funding required to carry out necessary actions while the city's new roads are being constructed, councilors sought a mechanism to include their input on the final design of the housing units to be developed in the city

Further, discussions also touched down on the city's societal issues, with which councilors requested assistance in obtaining the funds needed to complete the city’s master plan.

The meeting also saw WDC members deliberating on the needs for development, including improving healthcare services.

Vice President Faisal Naseem, who also joined the meeting, noted the importance of upgrading the healthcare services and expediting the road development project in the city, his home island.

Informing councilors that their input will be considered when the housing project is finalized, President Solih stated that their suggestions will also be taken for the road development project.

He also highlighted that a task force was established to address the country's social problems, assuring that the administration will communicate with the relevant line ministries in an effort to address and find appropriate solutions to the issues that were raised.

After concluding the meeting, the First Couple toured some development sites including the harbor and coastal erosion site in the city.

The government is currently working on the coastal protection of the area through MT Højgaard Pvt, valued at MVR 300 million.

The scope of the project includes constructing 2,650 meters of coastline protection walls from the north harbor to the east.

On Friday night, the president announced that the harbor expansion project survey would be awarded to the previous contractors.

The First Couple also toured the work site of Fuvahmulah City's road development project, which is being undertaken by Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). MTCC will be overseeing the construction of the roads with adequate storm water drainage systems, along with street lamps to fully complete the new roads.

Further, President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed also toured the hospital, where renovation work is underway at the laboratory services.

Fuvahmulah is the first stop in the First Couple’s ongoing tour, joined by a delegation of Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials.