Former President Solih awarded Hoarafushi’s most prestigious development shield

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was presented with the most prestigious development shield of Haa Alifu Hoarafushi, the "Siree Navaranna Addana", at a special ceremony held last night to mark "Hoarafushi Day."

The "Siree Navaranna Addana", which is the most honorable award of the "Hoarafushi Day" ceremony, was presented to former President Solih by the Hoarafushi Council President, Mohamed Waheed.

The announcement made at last night's ceremony stated that Hoarafushi is the only island to have received "massive projects worth millions of Rufiyaa" over the five-year term of a single administration. Specifically, it was announced that more than 16 major projects were facilitated for the island during Solih's presidency. The award itself is said to symbolize nine shining and illustrious jewels.

Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by a large number of Hoarafushi residents, Council President Waheed declared that former President Solih is the pioneer of the island's development and the "real King" of Hoarafushi.

"During your presidency, this island prospered and advanced. The doors of employment opened immensely. Our island shone brightly in development and civilization," Council President Waheed said while praising Solih.

"There is no way to truly appreciate the value of the massive development projects you brought for the future of Hoarafushi. During your presidency, you facilitated more than 16 projects worth hundreds of millions, and even billions, of Rufiyaa for Hoarafushi within those five years."

After accepting the honorable award, Solih acknowledged that the massive developments achieved for Hoarafushi during his tenure were due to the assistance of many individuals who worked in his administration.

"I believe this honor belongs to all those individuals, and especially to the tireless work, day and night, done by the island’s own who represented you in the Parliament at the time, Ahmed Saleem. That is surely one of the evidences of the development you see now," Solih stated.

He added that had Saleem, who represented the Hoarafushi constituency in the 19th People's Majlis, not worked in that manner, the island might not have achieved development at the rapid speed desired by its people.

Solih noted that the demanding task before him was to develop the entire country. He mentioned that there were islands in the Maldives without clean drinking water in the 21st century, and when his government promised to establish water and sewerage systems, some people mocked the idea.

"There are about 10 percent of people in America who do not have access to clean drinking water. Why should all Maldivian citizens be provided with clean drinking water? This was a point raised within the Parliament then," Solih said at the ceremony last night.

"I will say that if we are to take an example or model from a foreign country, we must look at the good things they do. Just because citizens in America do not have clean drinking water does not mean we should refrain from providing it. I worked on that principle."

Solih said that the work to establish clean drinking water and sewerage systems has begun, and many islands are now receiving these services. He concluded that if the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government had continued past 2023, the entire Maldives would have access to clean water and sanitation services.

The "Hoarafushi Day" ceremony, which was held to present awards to individuals who provided notable services to Hoarafushi, was also attended by Ahmed Saleem, the 19th Parliament Member for the Hoarafushi constituency, and Malé City Mayor Adam Azim.