Aim is to ease inter-island transport challenges before end of term: pres.

The incumbent administration aims to ease the inter-island transport challenges before the end of its term, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The president said this during the ceremony held on Sunday, to inaugurate the newly upgraded harbor in Veyvah island of Meemu atoll.

As such, taking the podium at the event, the president noted that he aims to alleviate difficulties faced in domestic transport, before his term ends in 2023.

The upgrading work of Veyvah harbor was contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC)

Highlighting that MTCC has completed 38 projects out of the harbor and coastal protection projects currently underway in 115 islands spanning the country, President Solih revealed that the rest are in different stages of development.

A harbor that provides safe anchorage and cargo transfer for fishing vessels was essential for the island residents, as the main economic activities of the island community are fishing and fish processing.

President Solih revealed that until now, the island lacked such facilities crucial for its economic growth and that despite the small size and population of Veyvah, his administration has always focused on bringing fair and equitable development to all islands.

The water and sewerage project is also underway, in Veyvah.

Comparing the developments brought to the island under his administration to the five-year term of the previous administration, the president noted that his administration has initiated development projects in Veyvah worth over MVR 100 million over the course of the past four years, while the previous administration had only spent MVR two million within five years.

President Solih is on a five-island tour of Meemu atoll currently. His first stop was Raiymandhoo, followed by Maduvvari and Dhiggaru. He will also be visiting Muli island as part of the tour before returning to Male on Monday.