Joint Opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made several pledges to his native island of Lh. Hinnavaru on Friday night.

Speaking at the campaign event, Solih pledged to develop the Hinnavaru health center into a hospital and to re-implement the development policies of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s government.

Solih said that Hinnavaru has been facing housing issues since 1932 and noted that MDP’s government had attempted to solve it by reclaiming land. He vowed to continue the efforts made by MDP’s government.

While MDP’s government had planned to build 100 housing units, President Abdulla Yameen’s administration has so far neglected the project even though it is placed in each year’s budget.

Solih noted that the development of a hospital in Hinnavaru has also been stalled after MDP left government leadership.

He also said that many prominent Maldivian athletes had come from the island and vowed to develop their football field.

Solih, who has been in politics for 24 years, said that Hinnavaru citizens had made it possible for him to be picked as the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate and that if elected he will focus on the interest of the nation above all else.

Highlighting people’s fear of losing their jobs, Solih said that the current government even looks at political affiliation when providing ordinary services.

However, the people have come out against oppression and that justice will be served soon, he said.