President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated his administration's policies were shaped to prioritise providing all the basic necessities required for every citizen to live a dignified life, regardless of the population of their island. He made the statement while speaking at the official inauguration of the new harbour at Omadhoo, Thaa Atoll.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Solih said basic utilities such as water, sewerage and electricity, and harbours, to accommodate smooth embarking and disembarking from the island, as well as easy access to quality education and healthcare, is the right of every Maldivian citizen. The president recalled that when he visited Omadhoo three years ago, the residents and council members had implored him to construct an adequate harbour and to find a solution to the provision of electricity in the island. He noted Omadhoo residents had expressed that they had felt largely ignored by previous governments and any progress the island had seen had come from the kindness of altruists or the hard work of the residents of the island themselves. The president expressed pride that he was able to fulfil the pledge he made to the residents of Omadhoo three years ago. He lauded everyone whose hard work made the project go forward smoothly and conclude successfully.
Addressing the second issue that was raised to him during his earlier visit to Omadhoo, President Solih noted Fenaka Corporation Limited had already relocated the power house, upgraded the electricity network and completed the preparations to provide electricity services to the newly-established residential area of the island. He also stated that the Omadhoo water and sewerage project, as well as a multi-purpose hall for the local school, would be initiated the following year.
President Solih also delineated several other projects planned or already underway at neighbouring islands in Thaa Atoll. As such, he noted the water and sewerage project in Buruni, as well as a project to construct six new classrooms in the island school, had been tendered and allotted to initiate later this month. Further, he noted a futsal field and youth centre had already been established on the island.
President Solih further stated the outer breakwater of the harbour project in Madifushi had already been completed, and the Solar PV project and waste management centre project for the island had been tendered. He added the football field project and volleyball court project for the island was also ongoing, with the football field project tendered and allotted, ready to initiate soon.
The president further noted Vilifushi, the residents of which requested a solution to their housing shortages, would see a project to construct 100 housing units, with the agreement for the project set to be signed on August 19. He also revealed that land reclamation for Hirilandhoo and Kinbidhoo is projected to be initiated next year.
Continuing his statement, President Solih underscored that along with developing local infrastructure, social maladies also need to be addressed, specifically the two most prominent in the Maldives, religious extremism and drug abuse. He spoke on the government's plans to overcome these serious issues, urging the residents of Omadhoo to take part in combatting these issues through a combined national effort. He stated that educating younger generations on the holy tenets of Islam from an early age is the best way to combat these social maladies.
Concluding his statement, President Solih extended his gratitude to the people of Omadhoo for their support and the trust they placed in him. He prayed that all residents of Omadhoo would be blessed with happy and prosperous futures.