Foakaidhoo Island Council has expressed gratitude for the numerous development projects initiated and carried out on the island by the administration. The island council made the remarks at the meeting held with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Women's Development Committee (WDC).
During the meeting, councillors said that Foakaidhoo, prior to the administration, was greatly neglected. However, they acknowledged that this administration had initiated various development projects on the island, highlighting the ongoing harbour upgrade work, water and sewerage development project and the project to establish a new powerhouse.
At the meeting held in Foakaidhoo School, the president and the councillors conversed about the issues and challenges faced in bringing the desired development to the island. Some of the issues shared by the councillors include the need for road development, space scarcity in the hospital, beach erosion, the need for housing solutions, and concerns regarding the project underway to establish a local football field. The members of the WDC also spoke during the meeting, underlining difficulties in conducting their roles due to the lack of an office.
Addressing the concerns raised by the councillors, President Solih said that Foakaidhoo lacked many basic services when he came into office. He stated the Health Centre upgrade project is scheduled for next year and that he would speak with the relevant ministries in addressing the issues raised.
Meanwhile, First Lady Fazna Ahmed has visited the Foakaidhoo School, taking a tour of the premises and interacting with students and teachers from both sessions. She gifted two books to the school, about anti-bullying and sexual harassment awareness. She also spoke to the students about the importance of learning and being literate, noting that the Maldives marks International Literacy Day on September 8.
Speaking with the teachers, First Lady Fazna discussed how to better educate students about negative societal influences and habits and how to provide career guidance for their students. School authorities stated during the meeting that they were currently suffering infrastructure shortages and are therefore holding classes in two sessions. However, they did express their gratitude for the ongoing construction project for 12 additional classrooms, saying that it would address these challenges once completed.
A multi-purpose hall is also being added to the school premises under the government's goal to advance the education sector through decentralised development.
The First Couple took a tour of the area under construction to build the 12 classrooms and multi-purpose hall earlier in the morning.