Islands are being depopulated as development projects stall despite passage of large budgets: Shahid
During his visit to the Boduthiladhunmathi atoll, Abdulla Shahid stated that citizens are expressing concerns that the substantial state budget is failing to bring any tangible developmental benefits to their islands. Furthermore, Shahid voiced his opposition to the synchronization of elections, arguing that such a move would diminish the public's opportunity to have their voices heard.
An interview given by MDP President Abdulla Shahid during his visit to the islands of Boduthiladhunmathi as part of the party's local council election campaign. | RaajjeMV | Raajje MV
Abdulla Shahid, President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has stated that the country’s islands are becoming desolate as development projects have stalled despite the exhaustion of a multi-billion rufiyaa budget.
During an interview in HDh. Makunudhoo as part of the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) ongoing nationwide campaign tour, MDP President Abdulla Shahid stated that the current administration has halted numerous development projects initiated by the previous MDP government. Shahid, who is currently visiting the Boduthiladhunmathi region, noted that no significant development progress has been observed across the islands over the past two years.
Shahid highlighted that the migration of island residents to Male' is leading to the depopulation of those islands. He noted that this trend is a direct consequence of the failure to implement adequate development projects within the islands.
The current administration has failed to deliver any tangible benefits to the people from the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, a project built under the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) grand vision for the Boduthiladhunmathi region. Today, citizens are speaking out loudly, claiming that this government is neglecting them. Numerous residents have approached me, questioning what their islands—such as Nellaidhoo, Naivaadhoo, Vaikaradhoo, Kumundhoo, Makunudhoo, and others—actually gained from the massive 56-billion-rupee budget passed and spent last year.Abdulla Shahid
Furthermore, Shahid stated that the public does not wish to reduce the frequency of elections. He asserted that the residents of Haa Dhaalu Atoll would also reject the proposal to consolidate elections. Highlighting that merging elections would deprive citizens of the opportunity to have their voices heard, Shahid noted that the people want leaders to visit them personally, engage with them, and remain dedicated to serving the public.
Shahid stated that the people, particularly those in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, want to preserve their opportunities as they currently stand. He noted that the entire atoll, as well as the rest of the country, is expressing a clear rejection of the proposal to combine the two elections.
