President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has given full assurance that practical work on resolving the issues facing the harbour in ADh Dhangethi will start in the coming year.
The President made this statement whilst speaking at a meeting with residents of the island during his current tour of Alif Dhaal Atoll islands, held Saturday evening.
Speaking at the meeting the President assured that citizens opinions and input will be sought out in the process, with an estimated time frame of one to one and half years for completion of the port.
The President also assured that housing issues facing the island would also be resolved. As such, he pledged to start land reclamation of the island next year, which would open up new housing and home ownership opportunities for residents. If the pledged initiative for the coming year does not materialise, the President gave full assurance that 27 hectares of land would be reclaimed from the island’s lagoon and a housing scheme would be started in that reclaimed area in 2026.
The President also reflected on the development that needs to be ushered in to the health and education sectors, stressing that societal issues facing the atoll as a whole would be resolved as well. As such, he noted that there were specific issues raised by specific islands, especially in the field of religion and sports. He noted the issue of ADh Dhangethi Cultural Centre, a core issue noted by the residents of the island, adding that work on this Centre will commence.
President Dr Muizzu further noted that the Administration was running developmental projects, while managing a debilitated economy, without resorting to an overdraft of the public accounts. He concluded his address by stating that developmental projects will be carried out without any discrimination on islands or citizens.