President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Ras Malé project will be carried out without state expenditures.

He made the statement while speaking at a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge tonight by the Local Government Authority (LGA) to give away the ‘Kangathi Awards 2023’, to recognise the local councils’ advancement, participation, and improvement. This award was conferred after ranking local councils under the Local Council Performance Index.

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and other senior government officials also attended the ceremony.

During his speech, the President reiterated that the Administration’s policies are pro-Maldivian and prioritise the country and its citizens. He stated that during the presidential election, the housing crisis was the most often voiced concern, adding that this was the primary driving force behind his decision to address public concerns and launch a land reclamation project as extensive as the Ras Malé development project within the first 14 weeks of office. He further assured that the project would be completed as promised.

He added that the additional tracts of land from Ras Malé and Gulhi Falhu as well as the further land reclamation at Giraavaru Falhu, and Hulhumalé will provide a permanent solution to the age-old housing problem in the Maldives. He further stated that during this presidential term, various housing projects will be planned and carried out simultaneously throughout the nation, permanently solving housing issues.

The President affirmed that he would work closely with the people and listen to their needs and concerns, stating that he would meet with them frequently and visit all the islands in the country. He added that delegations, inclusive of Ministers and officials of companies, will travel to all the islands starting this weekend to check on the condition of the people.

Moreover, the President stated that a portal is being set up on the President’s Office website so that every citizen can ask questions and submit their grievances, ideas, and hopes directly to the President.

In his remarks, the President also shed light on developmental projects planned for the future.

President Dr Muizzu conferred the awards to the island and atoll councils that placed first, second, and third in the previous year’s performance index and to the city council that came in at the top.

The Vice President conferred the plaques to the Atoll and Island Councils that made the most significant improvement compared to the previous year’s ranking and plaques on the Atoll and Island Councils that topped the Council Performance Index in various sub-indices.

At the ceremony, the President also launched the “Council Rankings 2021–2024” book.