Addu development will conclude before the end of this term: Pres. Solih
The remaining development initiatives will begin within the next few months
President Solih has been participating in MDP's Rahvehi Fathis campaign series ahead of April's council elections
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has assured that his administration's development vision for Addu City will conclude before the end of this term.
President Solih made the remarks while speaking at an edition of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Rahvehi Fathis campaign series, in a meeting hosted with candidates contesting for Local Council and Women's Development Committee seats from Addu atoll. President Solih said that almost all the development initiatives slated for Addu City under his administration had kicked off over the last two years, and that the remaining projects would also begin in the next few months.
President Solih went on to affirm that his administration's development vision for Addu City will come to fruition before the end of his presidential term.
In addition to this, the President noted that one of the largest expenditures from the state budget has thus far been for the development of Addu, and that MVR 535 million had been spent for PSIP projects alone across Addu City.
Shedding light on efforts being made to resolve the issue of mosquitoes breeding in Addu City, the President noted that the responsibility to tackle that lay with the Addu City Council and that they would receive the full support of the central government in their efforts to do so. President Solih also stated that efforts were underway to increase the capacity of Police in Addu to deter crime as well. Further, the President also highlighted that a mental health center would be developed in Addu as along four other regions of the country.
In addition to this, President Solih also noted that a rehabilitation and treatment center would be established in Addu City for persons with special needs.
Touching down on the erosion crisis currently faced in Hithadhoo, President Solih said that the issue would be resolved during land reclamation efforts in the region. The President also noted that the rent had been reduced for the Shangri-La and Herethere resorts, as they faced struggles due to high costs of travel. In addition to this, the President also noted that efforts were underway to have the resorts open as soon as possible. Further, President Solih stated that the process to lease lands for tourism to develop an additional 4,000 tourist beds in the region was also now underway, with 61 plots of land up for leasing with some lands already allocated to developers.
President Solih went on to affirm that a synthetic turf track will also be developed in Addu City before the end of the year.
The President also added that an additional 18 doctors had been assigned to the hospital to combat issues faced due to large queues to secure appointments with specialists.
Further detailing his administration's development vision for the southernmost atoll, President Solih said that the development of the Hithadhoo Harbor was a key project under the endeavor. The President added that development was underway for the commercial port, and that efforts were being made to secure loans for small businesses as well. In addition to this, President Solis said that locals would be contracted to conduct development projects being undertaken by state companies to resolve the issue of widespread unemployment in the region. The President also noted that when the airport and tourism picked up in the religion, even more jobs would be created for those living in Addu City,
President Solih also added that they would be working to reclaim land, build flats and issue plots of land to citizens in Addu to resolve the city's housing crisis. The President noted that Addu City's roads and water and sewerage networks were also being developed at a fast speed.
President Solih went on to affirm that his administration would be working to improve and strengthen the healthcare system in Addu City as well.
