During the visit to Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi, as part of his tour of Ha Alif and Haa Dhaal Atolls, President Mohamed Nasheed yesterday met with Kulhudhuffushi Island Council.

Discussions at the meeting generally centred on the ongoing development programmes as well as the programmes in the pipeline for the development of the island.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, the President underscored the need for the people to be informed on the matters being discussed in each Council meeting and informing them of the decisions of the Council regarding matters discussed.

On the development projects, the President highlighted the progress and sought the Council’s opinion on the island’s harbour project, road construction project and housing programme.

The President exchanged views with the Council on the development of Kulhudhuffushi harbour as a fully fledged commercial harbour with necessary facilities.

He also noted the need for further development of the Kulhudhuffushi Regional Port to facilitate the access of larger cargo ships into the port.

Speaking on the development of the regional port, the President underlined that the amount of goods unloaded at Kulhudhuffushi port since the government decided to give a 30 percent duty concession on goods unloaded at regional ports has surpassed the aggregate total of goods unloaded at the port over the three years before that.

On the road construction project, the Road Development Corporation is currently setting up the site and installing machinery required for the project. The work is expected to commence within the month, the company informed.

The President also held talks with the Council on consolidating the decentralised services, such as public health services, in the island through the Council.

He sought the Councils view on the properties and premises that could be transferred to the Island Council following the Cabinet’s decision last week to transfer properties in the islands that do not belong to any other government ministry or agency to respective island councils.

During the visit, the President visited the health, educational and social services infrastructure on the island, including the regional hospital.

The President also visited the sites of the ongoing government projects in the island.