President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and first lady Fazna Ahmed departed on an official visit to the islands of Faafu atoll on Saturday.
The two-day visit began in Nilandhoo island, followed by Dharanboodhoo and Magoodhoo on Saturday.
Solih held discussions with island officials and visited government offices and institutions, overseeing the advancement of ongoing developmental projects.
Solih, Fazna and the government delegation were warmly welcomed in Nilandhoo island.
Solih announced upcoming projects for Nilandhoo including the commencement of harbour and coastline protection projects.
He also revealed plans to develop two additional islands within the lagoon of the island, facilitating the establishment of resorts to enhance job opportunities.
Nilandhoo MP Abdul Muhsin Hameed signed to the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) during the president's visit.
Solih toured Faafu atoll hospital in Nilandhoo island.
Solih inaugurated the newly upgraded harbor in Dharanboodhoo island. He said the congestion in Male' stemmed from policies that focused on centralization.
He expressed concern over the deteriorating conditions in Male' and emphasized that the key to resolving congestion lies in developing other regions.
He also observed that the absence of jobs and income on the islands had been a driving factor behind the historical migration trend toward Male'.
A campaign poster at Dharanboodhoo harbor area.
During a meeting held at the harbor area of Dharanboodhoo island, the island community expressed their concerns about accessing employment opportunities.
They also complained about the absence of adequate sports facilities and the lack of sports competitions to foster social connections.
Solih affirmed the administration's commitment to addressing their complaints and assured the community to focus on overcoming budget constraints.
Solih inaugurated the upgraded harbor in Dharanboodhoo.
In Magoodhoo island, Solih inaugurated the water and sewerage network and the newly built administrative building of Fenaka Corporation.
He highlighted key developments to the Magoodhoo airport, including establishing a VIP lounge and expanding the runway to 1800 meters to accommodate private jets.
He also said there are plans to introduce a fuel farm to support flight operations and provide parking spaces for private aircraft.
He also noted the construction of a dedicated hotel facility to cater to the accommodation needs of flight crew during layovers.
Solih received a warm welcome in Magoodhoo.
Solih shared the administration's vision for developing Magoodhoo, encompassing aspects such as road infrastructure enhancement.
He revealed ongoing negotiations with a potential partner to undertake the reclamation and development of a resort in the island's lagoon.
Solih was presented with a commemorative plaque by the island council during the ceremony in Magoodhoo.
Launching the water and sewerage network project on Magoodhoo.
The initiative aims to provide households with a dependable and safe freshwater supply by utilizing desalinated water and harvested rainwater capacity.
The project includes two RO plants, two water storage tanks, and a 5.4-kilometer water network serving 166 households.
Additionally, two pump stations will connect 168 households through a 4.2-kilometer sewerage network.
The government delegation is scheduled to visit Bileydhoo and Feeali islands before concluding the visit on Sunday.
All photos are from the President's Office website.
