The council members of Maavah island in Laamu atoll, have urged the government to reclaim land for tourism development, on the island.

This was done during a meeting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu held with the island’s councilors and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members as part of his tour of several islands in Laamu atoll which he began on Thursday morning.

Discussions at the meeting revolved around the key concerns and development priorities of the island community.

Maavah councilors acknowledged the president’s decision to allocate the island as his maiden destination as part of his Laamu atoll tour and stated that it mirror’s the administration’s priority, as well as dedication to the progress of the island.

Speaking at the meeting, the island’s councilors proposed to allocate the island to serve as the site of a possible second airport constructed in Laamu atoll.

Highlighting the lack of transportation as well as issues faced due to the great distance between the island and other islands of the atoll, the councilors requested the government to reclaim land on the island to develop tourism, healthcare and for land allocation.

A delegation of senior government officials accompanies the president of the tour.

The members of his cabinet accompanying him on the tour provided updates on the ongoing initiatives by the administration aiming to address the issues raised by the councilors.

President Muizzu also assured the councilors that their recommendations would be considered, and that the government would seek ways to pursue them.