President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has asserted that the Ras Malé project will be carried out without any state expenditures.

He said this while speaking at a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge on Wednesday evening, by the Local Government Authority (LGA) to confer their ‘Kangathi Awards 2023’.

The ‘Kangathi Awards 2023’ recognizes the improvement, progress and participation of local councils across the nation.

Local councils that won the awards, were ranked under the Local Council Performance Index.

While the president has said that the government will not fund the project, no further details of how the project is being funded, have been disclosed.

Taking the podium at the event, President Muizzu highlighted that his administration’s policies are pro-Maldivian and prioritize the country, adding that the housing crisis was the most voiced concern during his presidential campaign.

As such, he stated that this was the steering force behind his decision to address public concerns and launch a land reclamation project as extensive as the Ras Malé development project within the first 14 weeks of office.

He went on to assure the people that the project will be completed, as he pledged.

Noting that the additional tracts of land from Ras Malé and Gulhifalhu as well as the further land reclamation at Giraavarufalhu, and Hulhumalé will provide a permanent solution to the age-old housing problem in the Maldives, President Muizzu stated that during this presidential term, several housing projects will be planned and carried out concurrently across the nation which will solve housing issues for communities.

Assuring the people that he remains committed to work closely with the people and listen to their needs and concerns, the president stated that he would hold frequent meetings with island communities and visit all islands of the archipelago nation.

He announced that this weekend, delegations including ministers and senior officials from companies will begin traveling to islands to monitor the situation of island communities.

In addition to this, Muizzu noted that a portal is being set up on the President’s Office website for citizens to submit inquiries, concerns, ideas and their vision for their islands directly to the president.

Muizzu also shed light on his development vision and projects planned for the future.

Awards were conferred to island and atoll councils that won first, second and third place at the ceremony, in the performance index of 2022.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and other senior government officials.

VP Latheef conferred plaques to the atoll and island councils that made the most significant progress compared to the past year's ranking.

Plaques were also conferred to atoll and island councils that topped the Council Performance Index in multiple subindices.

The ceremony also saw President Muizzu launching the "Council Rankings 2021–2024" book.