Another batch of vehicles and equipment procured through an Indian grant assistance, was handed over to the Maldivian government on Sunday.
The virtual hand-over ceremony was held on Sunday morning, with Indian High Commissioner to Maldives Sunjay Sudhir, Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Malé City Mayor Shifa Mohamed in attendance.
The first batch of vehicles and machinery under this project was handed over to the Male’ City Council on February 12.
The project for procurement of vehicles for Male’ City Council is one among the 18 different grant projects being funded by India across various islands of Maldives under a total grant assistance of USD 6.9 million extended in March 2019.
A total of 16 vehicles have been procured under this project.
Speaking at Sunday’s event, Foreign Minister Shahid highlighted that Malé City Council has been trusted with many responsibilities and that the procurement of these vehicles and machinery would invariably improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to the residents of the Malé City.
Mayor Shifa also expressed gratitude to the Indian Government for the financial support extended to improve the effectiveness of the work of the council.
In his remarks, High Commissioner Sudhir noted that the grant for Male’ City council is of special importance since it hosts about half the national population.
Noting that small grant projects constitute an important dimension of the dynamic development partnership between India and the Maldives, the Indian High Commission in Maldives said that such projects “reflect the true nature of this partnership which is transparent at its core and participation in its approach.”
It added that the projects being undertaken under this grant “are tailored to the requirements of the local communities and steered by them through the participation of local councils,” adding that the grant projects supported by India to the Maldives "ties in perfectly with the vision of decentralization” of the incumbent administration.
The commission also expressed hope for the swift completion of all projects under this grant scheme by the end of the year.
