The reclaimed ‘phase II’ area of the capital city’s urban extension Hulhumalé can be inhabited by the latter part of next year, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. 

The President said this at an event on Thursday to inaugurate the water sanitation system in the area, which as of now is being used primarily for commercial purposes. 

At Thursday’s event, President Solih revealed that the project is one the state-run Maldives Water and Sewerage Company’s biggest projects.

Solih said that the project is being carried out with as little burden on the state budget as possible, and procurement has been outsourced for this purpose. 

At the event, the president highlighted that access to clean water is one of the biggest challenges in rural parts of the country.

In this regard, President Solih said that due to climate change and overuse, underground water reserves have been contaminated and depleted, respectively.

However, the government remains committed to its pledge to ensure access to clean water for all Maldivians, President Solih said.