Rahvehi Fathis: President elucidates development plans for Raa atoll
A number of development projects have been spanned across the atoll
President Solih speaking during the Rahvehi Fathis Campaign
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced his administration’s expansive vision to conduct development initiatives across Raa atoll.
He made these remarks while speaking to candidates of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) contesting in the upcoming Local Council Elections as part of the party’s ‘Rahvehi Fathis’ campaign series.
As such, the president emphasized that the government will open for the tender process during the second quarter of the land reclamation project in Alifushi island, highlighting that the tender process has once again been opened for the project to build a multi-purpose hall in the island’s school. Listening to the concerns risen by the island residents, Solih noted that the administration further plans to establish a Regional Vocational Center in the island.
Touching down on the development plans for Vaadhoo island, the president stated that solar works will be launched within the month of May, adding that a number of initiatives will be launched to boost the island’s tourism within the upcoming year.
Further the government aims to launch water and sewerage projects in the island once more within April, adding that a project to renovate the island’s school will also be launched around May or June.
The project to construct the Angolhitheem youth center will be opened for tender during the third quarter, President Solih said, confirming that the bidding process for the island’s health center laboratory project has also been opened.
Further highlighting that water and sewerage projects in Angolhitheem island are proceeding well, the president highlighted that work is also underway to relocate the island’s powerhouse, alongside the powerhouse in Rasgetheem island.
Noting that his administration has a number of development plans for Ungoofaaru island, the president stated that the island’s hospital will be upgraded into a tertiary hospital within seven months.
The president also announced the approval to allocate 2,000 squarefeet of land for land distribution to the island residents, adding that the school hall renovation project has also been forwarded to the tender board.
The government is also planning to initiate more educational courses across the island, in collaboration with the Islamic Ministry and the Islamic University of the Maldives.
Solih pledged that the land reclamation project in Ungoofaaru will also be launched in the near future.
President Solih went on to note that more doctors will be provided for the island of Dhuvaafaru which faces a shortage in medical workers, within June. Another pledge made by the president to the island residents includes the announcement of a project to develop the island’s youth center, within the second quarter of the year.
Similarly, the president stated that projects to develop a youth center as well as a football stadium and to upgrade the jetty and harbor region of Rasgetheem island are well underway.
Highlighting that Hulhudhuffaaru island is among the Home Ministry’s list of prioritized islands to enhance police service, the president noted that the road development project in the island will also be launched within the second quarter of the year. Work is currently underway in the island to provide water and sewerage services to the newly allocated housing units on the island as well.
Shedding light on the development vision for Maakurathu island, the president stated that the Environment Impact Assessment has been tasked for the development of the island’s harbor, after which the project will be mobilized during the second quarter. The government also remains hopeful to complete the water and sewerage project in the island throughout March.
Within June, the government will be providing ambulance services in Innamaadhoo island where about MVR 10 million has been spent for PSIPs.
Further, a harbor development project is currently underway in Maduvvari island, alongside projects to plant a 500-kilowatt generator, an ice plant and water systems in the island.
The government also aims to open the tender process for the hospital development project in Meedhoo island, within the second week of March, followed by the construction project for a new school building in the island. The president noted that Meedhoo is included in the government’s waste-management plan.
Highlighting that the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been tasked with solving the soil erosion issue in Fainu and Rasmaadhoo islands, the president said that the government will also proceed with plans to build an airport in the atoll after further surveillance.
Rasmaadhoo island’s school is currently being redesigned, Solih added during the campaign event.
President Solih went on to note that the government aims to consult with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) regarding the establishment of a Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) branch in the atoll as part of the expansive development vision to enhance the atoll’s economy flow.
