Won't let the public get entangled in political games: President Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the government has been entrusted with a huge responsibility and will not permit it to become entangled in "political games."

He made this remark at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Mayor of Malé City and three new councilors, which took place at a special ceremony held at Dharubaaruge on Monday night.

"This is a huge responsibility, as I said earlier in [tonight's speech]. The people have entrusted us with a huge responsibility. If political games are brought into this, it will jeopardize the well-being of our people. I will not permit it," President Muizzu said at the ceremony held at Dharubaaruge, which was also attended by senior leaders of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

President Dr. Muizzu said that the people had entrusted him with the responsibility of bringing happiness and progress to them, and he is committed to fulfilling that responsibility. He emphasized that he would work tirelessly day and night alongside the councilors and people's representatives to achieve this goal.

"God willing, we will not be careless in the slightest. We are ready to work with the councilors day and night if they are there to collaborate with us in fulfilling the needs of the people," he said.

He added that the construction of buildings in Malé City for parking vehicles would begin in April, expressing hope that politics would not interfere to derail the project.

The President said that after housing issues, the poor quality of roads is the most significant problem in Malé. When President Muizzu assumed the role of Malé City Mayor in 2021, a road construction project had been initiated during the tenure of former Mayor Shifa Mohamed. However, the then government did not permit him to continue the tasks during his term as Mayor, he said.

He added that the current administration aims to undertake the project through the Malé City Council.

Therefore, President Dr. Muizzu stated that he has decided to prioritize the construction of roads in Malé City, utilizing the USD 130 million grant received during his recent state visit to China.

The second project under the Chinese grant is the construction of a 100-bed tertiary hospital in Villimalé, President Muizzu said.

"Since it is home to the largest number of residents, we have prioritized this grant to do things for the benefit of the maximum number of people," the President said.

"In addition, it involves procuring laboratory equipment in different islands and engaging in other environmentally related work in some others," President Muizzu added.

President Dr. Muizzu said that with the full support of the Malé City Council, the construction of roads in Malé will commence soon. He emphasized that only then will the issue of urban flooding be resolved.