President Visits Addu City, Inaugurates Addu City Council and Fuahmulak Atoll Council National Administration Office

President Mohamed Nasheed has visited Addu City as part of his tour of Addu City and Fuahmulak that he began today.

During the visit, the President this afternoon inaugurated Addu City Council and Fuahmulak Atoll Council National Administration Office at South Province Office.

Speaking after inaugurating the Office, the President underlined the importance of such an office to coordinate all activities in Addu City. He also pledged to double Addu City´s GDP from Rf2 billion to Rf4 billion before the end of his term in office.

Before the inauguration of Addu City Administration Office, the President held a joint meeting with members elected to Addu City Council and members of ruling Maldivian Democratic Party elected to Malé City Council.

At the meeting, the President explored the possibility of both city councils working together to collaborate and sharing experience in executing their development programmes.

The President also today met with the members of school boards of schools in Addu City. In the meeting, the President inquired about the challenges faced by the schools and discussed with boards of schools on ways to overcome these challenges.

Further, President Nasheed held discussions on broadening commercial activities in Addu City with heads of major state and government corporations operating in Addu City. In this regard, the President met with board of directors of Southern Utilities Limited, STO, Hithadhoo Port Limited, Gan Airport Company, and South Health Services Corporation Limited. The meeting was also attended by the Chairman and the Managing Director of Maldives Tourism Development Corporation.

In addition, the President today held a meeting with senior civil service employees working in Addu City, in which he sought their views on the changes in the administration of the Addu City following the inception of Addu City Council.

The President also thanked the civil servants in Addu City for their contribution to the development the City.

Finally, the President this evening met a delegation from civil society organisations working in Addu City.

In the meeting, the President underlined the role of civil society in consolidating decentralization process and shaping future development of Addu City.