President Mohamed Nasheed has said he was encouraged by the government’s achievements over the past two years in delivering its electoral pledges.

 
He made the remarks, speaking in Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo today. The President visited Gaafaru and Kaashidhoo this afternoon as part of his tour of some islands of Kaaf Atoll that he began this morning.
 
In both address, he highlighted the major achievements of the government since his administration came into office.
 
Speaking on the pledge of providing social security for the poorest and the most vulnerable sections of the population, the President said the government made the pledge recognising that it would be impossible to develop the country while one third of the population lived in poverty.
 
On the pledge to provide affordable healthcare, the President said 134 people of Gaafaru and 316 people of Kaashidhoo were registered in Madhana social health insurance programme.
 
In addition, he stated that 45 residents of Gaafaru and 99 residents of Kaashidhoo received old age pension initiated by the government, while 19 people from Gaafaru and 68 people from Kaashidhoo received social security benefits given to single mothers and people with special needs.
 
Discussing the success of the government’s transport network, the President said a total of 2360 passengers have begun their journey in Gaafaru and 2287 passengers have completed their journey in Gaafaru. In Kaashidhoo he said, a total of 1801 people have begun their journey from the island while 2150 people have completed their journey to the island, using the new transport network.
 
In addition to the pledges, the President also underscored the importance of the February 5 local council election saying this election would be the foundation of the future development of the country.
 

Reiterating that decentralised administration of the Maldives was a philosophy of his Maldivian Democratic Party, the President said the government’s aim was to consolidate good governance in the Maldives through consolidation of local governance and people’s participation in shaping their development.