President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that his administration is evaluating the possibility of re-starting the iHavan project.

iHavan is a development project pledged by the previous administration for Ihavandhippolhu atoll.

The project aimed to increase the commercial prospects of northernmost Maldives by building a port, an airport, a cruise hub, a yacht marina, a dock yard, commercial and financial centers.

Speaking at HA. Ihavandhoo on Sunday, President Solih said his administration is evaluating whether the project can be done. Noting that the project was the previous administration’s pledge, President Solih criticized his predecessor by saying that a pledge should be made after careful thought and evaluating its feasibility.

President Solih assured that this year’s state budget includes development projects for Ihavandhoo and said that his administration aims to develop the whole country through decentralization by empowering the local councils.

He said that an amendment bill has been proposed to give councils 40 percent of profits from businesses they handle, and give out 55 percent of the budget to the councils.

He also said that it was crucial that voters elect parliamentary candidates from the main ruling party in order to pass these important bills.

He added that his administration will give special priority to Ihavandhippolhu when developing the country and will evaluate the feasibility of the iHavan project.