President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday revealed that projects to build 1,575 housing units are in different stages of development across 14 islands to address the housing needs in the atolls. He made the announcement while speaking at a ceremony held on Naifaru Island in the Lhaviyani Atoll to hand over the newly built 100 housing units to the island council.
Of the 1,575 units, President Solih said tenders had been announced for 970 units, which would be built on eight islands. Speaking about the 100 units built on Naifaru Island, the President acknowledged that the longstanding demand for housing on the island has yet to be met.
President Solih also spoke about other developmental projects that are in progress or planned for the island and region, particularly in the fishing sector. He noted that the administration was investing heavily in the expansion and modernisation of the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) and increasing the fish storage and processing capacity in Felivaru Island. Assuring the fishermen of Naifaru Island that the initiative would solve difficulties in acquiring ice, the President announced a project to make ice accessible in all islands where FENAKA Corporation operates.
Addressing other issues that affect the island, President Solih announced plans to commission the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to attend to difficulties in accessing the northern entrance channel of the harbour. He also announced plans to develop the main roads of the island, subsequently with the completion of the water and sewerage network project. Land reclamation work for the island has also been planned.
Trials in the first phase of the Integrated National Public Ferry Network are currently underway in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, and Shaviyani Atolls. On this, President Solih revealed that the Lhaviyani Atoll would be linked via the ferry network in the next phase of the project. Reiterating the administration’s commitment to ensure nationwide development, devoid of any discrimination between smaller and larger population centres, President Solih assured that lacking specialist services would soon be introduced at the Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital.
The 100 new housing units in Naifaru Island were built under a design-and-build policy by Rasheed Carpentry and Construction Pvt. Ltd. Each 1,000 square-foot unit has three bedrooms.
On Saturday afternoon, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met with the members of the Faadhippolhu Atoll Council. The meeting was held at the Secretariat of the Faadhippolhu Atoll Council in Naifaru Island as part of his ongoing six-island visit to the atoll.
At the meeting, the council members shared with the President their views on the best use of the lagoons and reefs in the region. They also presented a paper which outlines the most pertinent needs of the atoll, including the need for a vocational education and training institute, atoll-level waste management, and improving healthcare services. Other topics discussed at the meeting focussed on housing and job creation.
During his tour of the Lhaviyani Atoll, President Solih visited Naifaru, Madivaru, Hinnavaru, and Felivaru Islands. He would also visit Olhuvelifushi and Kurendhoo Islands as part of his visit to six islands in the atoll.
