State expenditure for Shaviyani atoll reaches MVR 304 million: President

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed that government expenditure for projects in Shaviyani atoll has reached MVR 304 million.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the remarks in an appearance in one of main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Rahvehi Fathis campaign events. The President noted that the state's expenditure for Shaviyani atoll was the largest for any atoll, and that the total amount was now MVR 304 million.

President Solih went on to confirm that 512 students from Shaviyani atoll are currently pursuing courses under the government's Free Degree Programme, and that MVR 23.1 million had been issued as income support allowances to 1,502 parties. The President added that MVR 9.6 million had been issued as loans to SMEs from different islands of Shaviyani atoll as well. In addition to this, President Solih stated that MVR 53 million had been issued as subsidies for electricity as well.

Touching down on his electoral pledges for the region, President Solih affirmed that a solution would be found for difficulties in traveling for those in Shaviyani atoll within the ongoing year.

Additionally, President Solih noted that it had been30 years since land had been issued from Sh. Komandoo, and assured that a solution would be brought about to the housing crisis in the region, as well as the initiation of discussions with the Planning Ministry to link the island to Mathikomandoo. The President also expressed hopes that the projects to develop water and sewerage networks in Shaviyani atoll would progress swiftly as planned.

Further, President Solih confirmed that a solution would be devised for issues with the harbor in Sh, Maaungoodhoo, and that work to resolve them would begin this year.

President Solih added that MVR 38 million had been spent on PSIP projects in Milandhoo, and that while a 700kW generator set was being installed, an additional 800 kW generator set would be established on the island as wekk,

President Solih also noted that efforts were underway on behalf of RDC to develop roads on Milandhoo island, and that a project would be tendered in April to have the island's health center be turned into a hospital.

Highlighting that work on Funadhoo's water system had been contracted, and that the project, worth MVR 44.5 million would begin in one and a half month's time. President Solih also affirmed that the project to upgrade the Shaviyani atoll hospital had also been tenderewd, and that essential services would continue uninterrupted within the region. Additionally, on the issue of Nalandhoo island, President Solih stated that parties that had already conducted development efforts on the island would be compensated based on discussions.

Speaking at the Rahvehi Fathis campaign event, President Solih stated that the government had been expending a lot of funds to improve the standard of living for citizens during the pandemic, and expressed hopes that the upcoming Local Council and Women's Development Committee (WDC) elections would be a successful one for MDP.