President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has returned to Male’ City after concluding his trip to seven islands in Thaa Atoll.
The president commenced his trip to Thaa Atoll earlier this week, visiting Thimarafushi, Kinbidhoo, Omadhoo, Veymandoo, Vandhoo, Kandoodhoo and Gaadhiffushi, in that order. He met with the island councils and WDC of each island, as well as the Thaa Atoll Council, discussing their requirements and sharing the latest updates on the Public Service Investment Programme (PSIP) projects conducted by the government in the islands and the atoll.
Additionally, at Thimarafushi, President Solih also met with local business owners and members of the fisher community of the island. The president also visited the site for the construction of 100 housing units, the Thaa Atoll Education Centre and the island's health centre, speaking to the staff and inquiring about details of the operations.
At Kinbidhoo, President Solih visited several key institutions such as the local school and health centre, holding discussions with the staff on improving services and operations. He also inspected the progress of the water and sewerage project on the island.
At Omadhoo, the third stop, President Solih officially inaugurated the Omadhoo Harbour. Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih stated that basic utilities such as water, sewerage and electricity, and harbours, to accommodate smooth embarking and disembarking from the island, as well as easy access to quality education and healthcare, is the right of every Maldivian citizen. The president also delineated several other projects planned or already underway at neighbouring islands in Kolhumadulu Atoll, namely Buruni, Madifushi and Vilifushi.
At Veymandoo, the capital of the atoll, the president visited several key institutions of the Atoll. He met with the atoll council, as well as visiting and holding discussions with the staff at the atoll hospital, the Family and Children’s Service Centre (FCSC) by the Ministry of Family, Gender and Social Services, and Veymandoo School.
Next, President Solih visited Vandhoo, where he held discussions with the fisher community of the island, stating that the government places great value on developing and expanding the fishing industry. He also toured some historical sites on the island, stressing the importance of maintaining and protecting sites of historical significance and encouraging the development of such sites as tourist attractions.
The president's sixth destination was Kandoodhoo where he held a meeting with the local farmers, discussing their needs to improve the local farming and agriculture sector of the Maldives. President Solih assured the farmers that their concerns would be addressed via the relevant government agencies.
The President's last stop was at Gaadhiffushi, before returning to Thimarafushi to depart back to Male’ on August 19. President Solih was accompanied on this trip by cabinet ministers, senior officials from the President’s Office and a delegation of high-level government officials.