President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed the government has planned numerous projects to be conducted in Hinnavaru, Lhaviyani Atoll this year. He made the remarks at a meeting held with the Hinnavaru Island Council and Women's Development Committee (WDC) during his trip to Hinnavaru as part of a six-island visit to Lhaviyani Atoll.
During the meeting, the council members acknowledged the numerous developmental projects initiated by the administration and shared their concerns and most pertinent needs. They proposed some changes to the harbour development plans and highlighted the need for improving banking services, modernising and revamping school buildings and strengthening human resources in the education sector. Additionally, members of the WDC shared their efforts in socio-economic development and discussed arrangements for expectant mothers to travel to the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital.
During the meeting, the president pledged to address the concerns of the council and WDC, and provide swift solutions. He noted the government has planned numerous projects for Hinnavaru this year to improve the living conditions and basic services at the island.
Afterwards, President Solih met with the residents of Hinnavaru where he discussed developmental plans for the island. As such, he revealed the Hinnavaru hospital project is in the tender stages and will be handed over to a contractor in March. He assured the government has allocated funds to construct a 30-bed hospital within two years, but that he has discussed fast-tracking the project with the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure.
Other projects planned for the island include road development, building a university campus and 100 housing units, in addition to improving the electricity network, and expanding the existing harbour and building a new one. President Solih assured that arrangements would be made to improve banking services and highlighted that funds have been earmarked in the budget to develop a new building for the island council.
During the trip, President Solih also met with the senior management and staff of the Lhaviyani Atoll Education Centre and held extensive discussions on their concerns, challenges, and developmental needs. At the meeting, the faculty shared their shortcomings due to space constraints, including the need to upgrade the complex and develop additional infrastructure. Speaking with the faculty, President Solih assured them that the administration will consider their concerns and seek ways to find amicable solutions.
Afterwards, President Solih visited the Hinnavaru Health Centre and met with the management and staff and inquired about healthcare services. He also visited the extension site of the harbour and inspected the progress of the project, which was commissioned to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). The scope of the project involves developing a deep-water quay wall to facilitate larger vessels, expanding the harbour to 162 meters in length, and developing a quay wall in the old harbour and basin deepening.
President Solih was accompanied by ministers and government officials during his trip to Hinnavaru.