President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met on Thursday afternoon with the North Maalhosmadulu Atoll Council members. The meeting was held on Alifushi Island in the Raa Atoll.
At the meeting, the council members presented to the President a paper with details of the socioeconomic and infrastructure development needs of the atoll. The council members noted the need to expedite the airport project at the southern end of the atoll, establish a mechanism in the R. Vandhoo Regional Waste Management Centre to dispose of waste generated in boatbuilding, and proposed to designate three islands as picnic destinations.
The council members also asked the President to expedite the Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital expansion project and include Kandholhudhoo Island under the council’s jurisdiction, which it plans to develop as a historical site.
At the meeting, President Solih spoke about the administration’s priority of consulting with local councils about its developmental plans. He also thanked the council members for sharing their insight into the developmental plans and ongoing projects.
The President also stated that the administration is currently deliberating on a location in the southern part of the atoll for the proposed airport project. He also announced that the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) high-speed ferry services would be introduced to Raa Atoll next and informed them of the administration’s decision to hand over the island of Ufulandhoo to the atoll council. The administration had earlier designated the island for tourism development.
President Solih also reaffirmed to the council members the administration’s commitment to addressing their concerns. A senior delegation of the government accompanied him to the meeting.
Before the meeting, President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed inaugurated the new multi-purpose hall developed at the school on Alifushi Island. They also toured the facility. The administration is currently undertaking numerous projects across the country to develop educational infrastructure.
