Rapi and unprecedented levels of development have been observed under the incumbent administration, says the members of the Meemu Atoll Council.

As part of his recent five-island tour of Meemu atoll, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met with the Meemu atoll councilors on Sunday.

The meeting saw extensive discussions held regarding the socioeconomic development of the atoll and ways to address the challenges facing the island communities.

The councilors noted that the atoll has been observing rapid development levels with the "unprecedented" number of infrastructure projects initiated by the administration.

With this being said, the council members expressed gratitude to President Solih on behalf of the island communities spanning the atoll.

Discussions also revolved around ways to expedite the fishermen’s harbor project in Mulah island, improving healthcare services at Muli Regional Hospital as well as the need to connect Muli and Naalaafushi islands with a causeway.

Further, the president was requested to provide housing projects to islands, justly and equitably.

He was also requested to designate the uninhabited island of Maalhuveli as a picnic island, and repurpose Thuvaru island as a tourist resort. The latter is currently leased for farming.

The president and councilors also talked about developing tourist facilities alongside the Muli Airport project and creating more jobs.

The councilors went on to express concern over the increase of drug abuse in Mulah, Muli and Naalaafushi islands.

This is is causing adverse effects on the socioeconomic progress of the region, said the councilors.

Listening to these concerns, the president appreciated the council’s support and cooperation in the administration’s efforts to combat drug abuse and highlighted that a special task force had been established to battle the drug trade and abuse of narcotics.

He described this as one of the most pressing issues facing the country.

President Solih went on to stress on the significance of raising awareness about the issue of drug abuse.

The meeting also saw council members briefed on the development plans for the atoll, with the president noting that the Mulah fishermen’s harbour project has been awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) due to delays due to a lack of interest from contractors.

The project is financed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).

President Solih assured the councilors that the administration remains committed to seek amicable solutions to their concerns.

Raiymandhoo was the president’s first destination of the tour, which he began on Saturday morning.

President Solih toured five islands of Meemu atoll during the three-day tour; Raiymandhoo, Maduvvari, Dhiggaru, Veyvah and Muli.

He was accompanied by a high-level delegation of government officials.

During the visits, the president inspected the progress of the ongoing development projects in these islands.

He also sat down with island councils and Women’s Development Committees of the respective islands.