President Mohamed Nasheed has today visited Vilingili and Kolamaafushi of North Huvadhu Atoll as part of his tour of Huvadhu Atoll that he began yesterday. He received a warm welcome from the people of both islands as he arrived in the islands.
Meeting the people of both islands, he noted that Huvadhu Atoll was especially known for their fishing, and local fishermen have begun to see the benefits annulling the licenses issued by the previous administration to overseas fishermen to do long line fishing 100 miles off the Maldives.
In the address at Kolamaafushi, the last stop in his tour of Huvadhu Atoll, the President also underscored the government´s fisheries policy. Recalling that ruling MDP announced its fisheries policy prior to 2008 elections, he said MDP pledged to increase the value of fish caught by local fishermen to reflect the fish prices in the international market.
The President said after the government decided to open up fishing industry for competition and allowed small and medium enterprises to buy and export fish, value of fish has increased to an average of Rf10 per kilogram from an average of less than Rf5 for a kilogram of fish.
Addressing the people of Vilingili, President Nasheed revealed that the government would begin constructing an airstrip in Vilingili this year. He said this airstrip would foster development tourism and commercial activities in the atoll.
In Kolamaafushi, he also said the government has contracted building the island´s sewerage system to a third party and was expected to commence the work within next few months.
The President revealed that the island´s health centre would be upgraded this year with the installation of a telemedicine system.
In both islands, the President reiterated the need for a strong social security framework to ensure the development of the country.
