An opposition administration will declare Kulhudhuffushi a city and develop it as an urban centre, says opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Solih, who is currently on a mission to visit 13 islands in Haa Dhaalu atoll in three days, said this while speaking at an opposition gathering in Kulhudhuffushi, the atoll's capital, on Monday night.

Noting that the opposition has plans to establish urban centres in three regions of the country, Solih said that the one is the north will be in Kulhudhuffushi.

He added that if elected, the opposition will declare Kulhudhuffushi, with over 12,000 residents, as a city. There are currently three cities in the Maldives; capital Malé, Addu and Fuvahmulah cities.

While the current government has launched a project to develop an airport in the island despite concerns, Solih assured them that an opposition administration will not stop any development projects launched by the current administration. However, he insisted that all unlawful agreements will be investigated, adding that necessary changes will be made after.

The opposition candidate made a number of pledges to the Kulhudhuffushi people, including the development of a commercial harbour and turning Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital into a tertiary hospital, as well as shelter for all and development of more roads there.