President Mohamed Nasheed has officially inaugurated MWSC’s Production Centre in Maafushi. The inauguration function was held this evening at the Production Centre.

The Production Centre provides desalinated water to the residents of Maafushi.

Addressing the people of the island, prior to the inauguration function, President Nasheed noted the government recognised that basic utilities such as water and sewerage were essential for development and prosperity of the people.

He said in government’s effort to provide those services to everyone in a sustainable manner, it needed the support and assistance of the private sector. He added the government therefore was pursuing a policy of Public Private Partnerships to carry out developmental activities.

In his address, the President also discussed the ongoing process of decentralisation in the country.

He stressed that the government’s policy to create seven provinces was not for political gain but for the benefit of all citizens. He said an island or an atoll was too small for decentralised administration to effect economies of scale.

A bill on decentralisation, which will see local elections to elect local councils for the first time in the country, is to be voted by the People’s Majlis.

The debate over the bill saw the People’s Majlis deadlocked in its last term. The government has since resubmitted the bill with amendments.

In his address to the Mafushi people, the President said the government “does not desire to do anything through arguing and fighting in the People’s Majlis”, but it always would consider the best interest of the people.

Saying that the government knew how to concede, the President added “if [anyone] could explain any obstruction to development and the economy” because of creating seven provinces, “we are ready to concede”.

President Nasheed visited Maafushi Saturday afternoon and returned to Male in the evening.