Male' and all other islands are equal to me: President

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu last night stated that Male' and all other Maldivian islands are the same in his eyes and actions in development are taken under that regulation. 

President Muizzu posed the question as to whether things should only be done for Male', atoll capitals and city atolls during the PNC Rally last night, stating that development should be achieved in other islands as well alongside Male'. 

"Should things only be done for Male'? Or only for cities? Should atoll capitals only have things done for them? No...," said President Muizzu while speaking against discrimination against islands.

The President said he wants to go to islands where presidents have not been to in the last 45 years or so during his island visits after he took office. He said that he is shocked by this and described it as negligence.

President Muizzu said that Male' and those islands are equal in his eyes and Maldivian citizens reside at those islands.

"Islands where Presidents after President Maumoon have not been to. It shocked me. Islands that have been neglected, in every sense of the word. Those islands and Male' are equal in my eyes," said the President.

As President Muizzu said, ATM's are being opened on those islands with other various things being done by the government. President Muizzu also said that Police services have now been established on all islands where they did not exist before. 

The President said that he wants equality and fairness for the nation.

While shedding light on the efforts of the government in providing Male'-quality services, The President stated that passport and ID card services are now available in every atoll. He also stated that in order to advance businesses, ATM's and Dollar ATM's are being established as well.

As per the President, an additional 70 Dollar ATM's will be installed by March 2026. President Muizzu said that 1,875 projects are currently ongoing in various parts of Maldives, with 1,356 of those having been signed and awarded by the current government.

While acknowledging that housing projects are the most important in the development industry, President Muizzu said that 825 units are being constructed in 13 islands by various companies. The funding for an additional 1,100 or so units in 16 islands have been included in next year's state budget, with Bank of Maldives having been awarded the construction of 3,000 housing units, said President Muizzu.

While work is being done in handing over Hulhumale' and Gulhifalhu plots, the President stated that dredgers will be brought to Maldives on 23rd November in for the land reclamation of Giraavaru Falhu, with the project starting subsequently.

President Muizzu said that more dredgers will be brought in in order to expedite the land reclamation of Rasmale' and Uthuru Thila Falhu, with the entirety of Rasmale' to be reclaimed within five months. He stated that it is twice as big as both Hulhumale' Phase 1 and Phase 2 combined.

President Muizzu said that the regulations in giving away plots will be made public within the coming week, with the window to apply for 15,000 plots being opened within a month.