People's National Congress (PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Monday night announced three special pledges for Addu city, including a project to develop 6000 tourist beds.
Muizzu, Male' mayor and former housing minister, traveled to the southernmost atoll to canvass support in the second largest population center. The other key pledges that he made at a rally in Hithadhoo were developing the Addu hospital and building a bridge to connect Hithadhoo and Hulhumeedhoo.
The main project that Muizzu announced for Addu was the state-invested tourism project started by the current administration under the name of "Asseyri Tourism." He did not provide much detail about the project.
But he said that 10,000 jobs would be created when 6000 beds are added. As the project becomes a reality, establishing a regional seaplane hub in the city is a goal, he said.
Muizzu's tourism policy for Addu comes after President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, announced and launched a 7000-bed project for the city.
Transforming Addu into a tourism hub involves expanding the airport, facilitating the reopening of the Shangri-La resort, developing Hankede, and building guesthouses and hotels.
Hankede is to be developed under an integrated tourism concept by the Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC). Financed by a USD 142.9 million loan from the Bank of China, the 1041-room (2082 beds) project was awarded to the China National Electrical Engineering Company.
Hankede also includes two grand hotels, two deluxe hotels, 10 boutique hotels, 64 service apartments and 17 beach villas, in addition to a knowledge center, mixed sports building, outdoor beach sports, theater, food court, restaurants and retail outlets.
In his speech, Muizzu said the most important issues were housing and jobs and that home ownership should be ensured without relocating from Addu. Land reclamation was also needed in Addu, he said.
One of the largest land reclamation projects in the country is currently underway in Addu.
The government has said that the land reclamation project is intended to expand space needed for 50 years, develop tourism and spur economic growth. Under the nearly MVR 1 billion project, 194 hectares will be added to Addu with 11 kilometers of shore protection.
Other pledges by Muizzu
- Introducing an online payment system
- Allowing Maldivians to create seller accounts on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon
- Starting an MVR 100 million loan scheme for women
- Setting up a market in cities to sell products created by women, which is to be operated by women's cooperatives
- Providing financial assistance to running and developing daycare centers
- Establishing a special national center to combat domestic violence
- Offering mammography and pap smear tests in all atolls
