President Dr Mohamed Waheed has said that for a satisfied populace, consulting the people and understanding their perspective in undertaking developmental projects was of utmost importance. The President made this remark while speaking at the official inauguration ceremony of the harbour project of Dhan’bidhoo Island in Haddhummathi Atoll.
Highlighting the modifications needed for the harbor project, President Waheed assured the people that the harbour would be completed after taking in to account, the people’s views.
Underscoring that failure to listen to the people’s opinion leads to further grievances, the President noted that today, such complaints were common. In this regard, President said that it was his aspiration to meet as many people as possible, inquire their needs, and fulfill their requests. However, he expressed dismay that his visits to the islands to meet the people were often misinterpreted as campaign visits.
“I wish to visit as many people as possible. But this is a critical period. My trips to visit the people are misinterpreted as campaign visits. Hence, we need to bring this to an end. I will continue to visit you. Even if I have to bear the expenses on my own, I will come to visit you.”
Speaking to the people, President Waheed emphasized the challenges being faced in the country, owing to the differences of opinion.
“I have a party too. It has a colour. But do I come to you all, wearing ties, shirts and hats in the colour, asking you to join the party in return for a harbour?”
President Waheed said that the interest of the nation, island and atoll should be our utmost priority. He further said that prioritizing other interests above these leads to divisions within the society and staggers developmental growth.
