President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has given a press conference today at The President’s Office and gave his express confidence that his administration would fulfil all its pledges within this five-year term. The President updated the public on the progress of his administration with regard to meeting its pledges to the Maldivian people and commented on the status of several of the key initiatives being undertaken by the government. He also highlighted that progress is being made with as much efficiency as is possible within the bounds of his administration’s powers and resources and reiterated his government’s full commitment to the Maldivian people’s well being.
The President noted the concerns of tenants shouldering increasing financial burdens due to rent and the pressing issues relevant to housing, stating that the government is committed to doing all it can to rectify the issue. For instance, the 9200 apartments that are being planned by ‘Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation’ will be subject to rent control at a cap of MVR 6000 for 2 room apartments and MVR 7000 for 3 room apartments. Further, 140 residents who purchased apartments through the ‘Gulheefalhu’ project will be offered apartments from the next earliest housing project initiated under this administration. The purchasing price will be deducted from the price of the new apartment, with the remainder divided into convenient monthly payments. To complement these fiscal measures, the government will also be implementing a minimum wage scheme pending approval by the Parliament later this year.
In addition, the President stated that 1300 patients have sought treatments at the Mental Health Clinic opened in IGMH in March this year. An additional quota of 1000 pilgrims has been approved for Hajj this year. Regarding the ‘Free Education Scheme for Degree Students’ initiated by his administration to address one of the key pledges, the President announced that from 4685 applicants, 3009 have been approved for the scheme.
He also restated that his administration is committed to developing the economy and infrastructure of the whole country, rather than prioritizing only the Greater Male’ area. In this regard, construction of Water and Sewerage systems will be initiated in 29 islands this year, and the Water and Sewerage systems construction in all other islands will begin in 3 years. Furthermore, hospitals in 5 different islands will be upgraded to a fully operational level, creating approximately 1300 new jobs. The President also stated that the line of credit from India has been approved for economic development and infrastructural improvements in Addu City and that MTCC has initiated work on making the necessary repairs to Laamu Link Road to solve the irrigation problems the city is facing.
The President also commented that the development of the nation’s exceptionally strong tourism sector is also progressing well under this administration, and it is expected that 17,000 new jobs will be created in the tourism sector. Further, many of these jobs will be targeted for Maldivians; the government will also strengthen skills development programs in the education sector in order to ensure that citizens are equipped with the necessary knowledge and expertise to ably perform in these roles. He also noted that construction work of Velana Airport Passenger Terminal will begin on 27th July this year and will be completed mid-2022 and that the project initiated in 2016 to upgrade Velana International Airport is 80% complete. In regard to the project to relocate the port to Gulheefalhu, the President repeated that this is one of the largest infrastructural projects undertaken by his administration and that consultants have been shortlisted for the project through bidding.
Following the end of his address, the President took questions from the media present and expounded on several issues that have gained recent media traction. With relevance to the repatriation of Luthfee, a convict responsible for the attempted coup d'état of November 1988 with the aid of the Tamil Tigers, the President noted that the government will not spend from the public purse on his person, except for his visa and travel arrangements; he further expressed that he considers him beyond redemption and that he will face the appropriate penalty for his actions. With regard to former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb travelling abroad from the Maldives despite serious corruption allegations against him, the President noted that he is travelling abroad for medical treatment and will return once his medical issues are resolved.
The President answered questions from all members of the press during the press conference and addressed all issues brought forth.
