President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that Malé and Ras Malé will be connected via an underwater tunnel. He made the remarks while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the Malé City Council’s newly elected Mayor and councillors held tonight at Dharubaaruge.
The President detailed that the underwater tunnel connecting Malé and Ras Malé would entail a railway on which tourists can observe the underwater beauty, adding that this new infrastructure project would contribute immensely to the tourism industry. The President stated that the Administration had already begun working on the feasibility studies for the project and that it would seek potential developers with the technical capacity to build the tunnel.
President Dr Muizzu urged all council members nationwide to hold discussions with their constituents while undertaking responsibilities. Subsequently, he committed to fully empowering the councils, reinforcing their autonomy and decision-making capabilities. On this note, the President acknowledged the recent Cabinet decision to grant island councils the ability to incorporate uninhabited islands and lagoons in their atolls under their jurisdiction, under specific guidelines, to boost their revenue and to establish a transparent mechanism that ensures atoll councils fully capitalise on the financial gains from commercial units in Malé that are associated with their respective atolls.
The President additionally spoke on the developmental prospects of Malé City. In this regard, he added that the ongoing development projects and the completion of the Ras Malé development project would satisfy all housing needs of the city within the five-year term. He stated that the redevelopment of Malé City’s roads and the allocation of parking areas would alleviate the emanating challenges within the same period.
President Dr Muizzu further detailed efforts by the Administration to develop a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Villimalé, initiating construction of the new fish market in Malé City after Ramadan, authorising new residential buildings to rehouse the tenants of the five buildings, namely the Sinamalé and Malé Hiya flat residents, and the 500 housing units commissioned for Villimalé, among other significant development projects.
During this evening’s formal proceedings, the newly elected Mayor of Malé City Council, Adam Azim, along with councillors representing three constituencies, Medhu Henveiru, Maafannu Dhekunu, and Henveiru Dhekunu, were officially inducted into office. The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Uz Mahaz Ali Zahir. Following the swearing-in ceremony, the newly inaugurated officials signed their oaths, formalising their commitment to their roles and responsibilities.
