President and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received a warm welcome from the residents of Haa Dhaalu atoll Makunudhoo.
Although president Solih was scheduled to arrive in the island on Sunday afternoon, his visit got delayed due to weather conditions and reached Makunudhoo around 9:00 p.m.
Hundreds of MDP supporters gathered at the island’s harbor to greet the president upon his arrival. The entire area was filled with yellow and green banners reflecting the MDP-Adhaalath Party (AP) alliance.
Members of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in the island's council joined in welcoming president Solih, as a sign of respect for his visit.
Many of the locals expressed the need for an airport on the island due to its geographical isolation from other atolls. They emphasized the challenges of traveling between islands by sea, especially during stormy weather.
"Previous governments pledged to develop an airport, which never came to fruition, but president Solih fulfilled his pledge, and the airport is now under development. That is why so many had come out to greet him," a local from Makunudhoo said.
The government commenced physical work for the land reclamation project in Makunudhoo for the development of the airport, on Sunday evening, September 3. Big Fish Maldives Private Limited was awarded the contract for the reclamation project, with an estimated cost of MVR 16 million. The project includes reclaiming 43 hectares of land for the island.
President Solih and his campaign team are currently visiting the islands of Haa Dhaal atoll as part of his last campaign visits before the presidential election this Saturday, September 9.
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