Addu vote: "Millions in block grants to Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo"

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated last night that the government has no preference in the Addu Council referendum and if separate councils are voted on, then the government will award block grants separately as well.

During the Fonadhoo meeting as President Muizzu is currently visiting Laamu Atoll, he stated that when he visited Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo during the Presidential Election campaign, residents of those islands had requested the government find a solution to create individual councils. He stated that the vote is a part of him fulfilling his pledge.

The President went on to say that he would work towards finding a permanent solution when he had heard of this issue from the island residents.

"I can accomplish this task only after asking the civilians as to what they want and within the confines of the legal system. And so I am asking them to come to a decision. Their decision is the government's decision and the government will support that," said the President.

"The government has no preference regarding this matter. Even if the decision is to keep Addu City's composition as is, the government will fully support and cooperate with that decision."

President Muizzu stated that the entirety of Addu City is allocated just "one budget" and based on the residents decision, Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo would get separate budgets. The President highlighted that each council will receive block grants from the state budget.

As per President Muizzu, if Feydhoo residents decide to have a separate council, then the council would receive MVR 25 million yearly.

"Hulhudhoo Council will receive around MVR 13 or 14 million in block grants. Meedhoo Council will receive around MVR 18 million in block grants, with these figures having been decided after looking at certain indicators such as population," said the President while speaking of the finer details.

President Muizzu stated that he gave details regarding the block grants believing that some people still did not fully understand it. He went on to say that it is his responsibility to clear the air concerning the government's neutral stance regarding the referendum if people were to state otherwise.