Meemu Atoll, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih departed Saturday morning on an official visit to five islands in the Mulaku Atoll.
As part of the trip, he will be visiting Raiymandhoo, Maduvvari, Dhiggaru, Veyvah, and Muli.
During the trip, President Solih is expected to hold meetings with the Mulaku Atoll Council members, the island councils, and the Women’s Development Committees of the respective islands. He would also meet with the island communities, inspect the progress of ongoing developmental projects, and tour public offices and institutions.
So far into the trip, President Solih met with the island council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members of Raiymandhoo Island.
Discussions at the President’s meeting in Raiymadhoo Island focused on the ongoing developmental work on the island and the needs of the community. At the meeting held at the school, the council members noted that the administration had initiated a previously unanticipated number of developmental projects and expressed their gratitude to the President. Highlighting that one of the community’s biggest grievances was the lack of a water and sewerage system, they thanked the President for initiating projects to address these concerns.
The island’s representatives also shared some of the community’s concerns, including the challenges they face due to the lack of a good harbour, coastal erosion, and interruption of services at the laboratory in the healthcare centre. They also spoke about challenges facing the education sector due to the low student population on the island.
Speaking at the meeting, the President assured the council members that the administration would seek ways to find amicable solutions to the concerns raised at the meeting, especially issues related to the harbour and coastal erosion. The cabinet ministers also briefed the islands’ representatives about the administration’s developmental plans for the island.
Another notable aspect from this trip, includes President Solih’s announcement of plans to develop a harbour in Raiymandhoo island.
Noting that previous administrations had prioritised the development of islands with larger sizes and populations, the President stated that his administration seeks equitable development of all islands, irrespective of their population or size.
The President also announced the administration’s plans to carry out coastal protection works to address the island’s beach erosion problem in conjunction with the harbour development project. Raiymadhoo is the only island in the Meemu Atoll which lacks a proper harbour.
The water and sewerage projects for the island, initiated by this administration, are also currently underway. The President revealed that the sewerage network project is expected to be completed in December, followed by the water supply project in March 2023. The development of a futsal and volleyball court is also in different stages.
Speaking about improving healthcare services across the country, the President noted the importance of ensuring reliable connectivity between the islands for such services. He also announced that the “Raajje Transport Link” ferry service would help address numerous problems faced in the atoll. Today’s visit was the President’s first to Raiymandhoo Island, where he expressed gratitude for the warm welcome by the community.
During other stops of the trip, President Solih will also travel to Veyvah Island, where he will attend the ceremony held to inaugurate the newly redeveloped harbour and powerhouse, as well as attend a ceremony to mark the completion of the coastal protection project on Dhiggaru Island.
A delegation of government officials accompanied the President on the visit. He is scheduled to conclude his trip on Monday.
