President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed that the budget for regional housing development projects in 2022 would be earmarked at MVR 1.5 billion. He made this statement while speaking at the concluding ceremony of "Rahvehi Fathis" campaign at Alifu Alifu Rasdhoo, on this Thursday evening.
President Solih stated that the government is also planning to initiate a special loan scheme aimed at alleviating the housing struggles faced by residents living outside the central area. The loans would be ideal for individuals who require assistance to reinitiate or expedite housing developments halted due to financial difficulties.
Speaking further, he outlined the housing development projects planned for the central area as well. The President noted that in order to fully actualise decentralisation in the Maldives, the current limitations of housing in Malé City would need to be addressed. He also said there are currently 5000 housing units, in different stages of construction, allotted for registered residents of Malé City, with plans to increase this number to 13,000 housing units.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements, President stated that the current administration had, within a 2 year and 4 month period, successfully upgraded the existing electrical service carrying capacity by an additional 180 megawatts, outside the Malé region. In this regard, the President detailed that a total of 176 generators were imported, 402,303 metres of new cables were laid and design changes were incorporated to powerhouses to upgrade electricity grids to industry standards.
He also highlighted that a total of 2,868 kilowatts of solar power is being harvested from solar panels installed in two atolls. He noted that the government is working on similar projects in 15 additional atolls through which an estimated 43,936 kilowatts of renewable power will be produced.
The President also delineated the areas of farming and fisheries. He said that the Agro National Corporation has signed 487 farmers for contract farming and that contract farming is currently underway at 35 islands in 12 atolls. He also detailed numerous projects to establish ice plants and cold storage facilities across the nation, noting that with the completion of these projects, ice plants established in 20 islands will produce 525 tonnes of ice while 9,700 tonnes of capacity will be made available for cold storage across the nation.
President applauded his administration’s “Free Education Scheme for Degree Students,” stating that parents can now rest assured that the government would bear the financial burden of every child’s first-degree programmes. President reassured that no parent has to spend their lives burdening themselves over it today.
President said his administration considered parents’ concerns and struggles in crafting policies that guarantee equal educational opportunities for all students across the nation – opportunities vital for nurturing capable and educated individuals.
On another note, President Solih emphasised the administration’s plans of establishing an efficient, affordable, convenient and sustainable passenger and cargo ferry network across the nation. The large-scale “Integrated National Public Ferry Network” project would revolutionise interconnectivity between the atolls and islands and facilitate inclusive regional development, the President added. He revealed that connectivity services under the first phase of the project would commence in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani and Noonu Atolls later this year.
President Solih stated that the government is also planning to initiate a special loan scheme aimed at alleviating the housing struggles faced by residents living outside the central area. The loans would be ideal for individuals who require assistance to reinitiate or expedite housing developments halted due to financial difficulties.
Speaking further, he outlined the housing development projects planned for the central area as well. The President noted that in order to fully actualise decentralisation in the Maldives, the current limitations of housing in Malé City would need to be addressed. He also said there are currently 5000 housing units, in different stages of construction, allotted for registered residents of Malé City, with plans to increase this number to 13,000 housing units.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements, President stated that the current administration had, within a 2 year and 4 month period, successfully upgraded the existing electrical service carrying capacity by an additional 180 megawatts, outside the Malé region. In this regard, the President detailed that a total of 176 generators were imported, 402,303 metres of new cables were laid and design changes were incorporated to powerhouses to upgrade electricity grids to industry standards.
He also highlighted that a total of 2,868 kilowatts of solar power is being harvested from solar panels installed in two atolls. He noted that the government is working on similar projects in 15 additional atolls through which an estimated 43,936 kilowatts of renewable power will be produced.
The President also delineated the areas of farming and fisheries. He said that the Agro National Corporation has signed 487 farmers for contract farming and that contract farming is currently underway at 35 islands in 12 atolls. He also detailed numerous projects to establish ice plants and cold storage facilities across the nation, noting that with the completion of these projects, ice plants established in 20 islands will produce 525 tonnes of ice while 9,700 tonnes of capacity will be made available for cold storage across the nation.
President applauded his administration’s “Free Education Scheme for Degree Students,” stating that parents can now rest assured that the government would bear the financial burden of every child’s first-degree programmes. President reassured that no parent has to spend their lives burdening themselves over it today.
President said his administration considered parents’ concerns and struggles in crafting policies that guarantee equal educational opportunities for all students across the nation – opportunities vital for nurturing capable and educated individuals.
On another note, President Solih emphasised the administration’s plans of establishing an efficient, affordable, convenient and sustainable passenger and cargo ferry network across the nation. The large-scale “Integrated National Public Ferry Network” project would revolutionise interconnectivity between the atolls and islands and facilitate inclusive regional development, the President added. He revealed that connectivity services under the first phase of the project would commence in Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani and Noonu Atolls later this year.
