President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said many of the country's infrastructure projects will be completed within the next two years, with a significant portion of the government's development vision to be achieved by Independence Day 2028.
Speaking at the Maldives' 61st Independence Day official ceremony yesterday, President Muizzu outlined his administration's targets for the next two years.
He said that by July 26, 2028, all inhabited islands would have completed water and sewerage projects. Waste management facilities, including waste collection centres, as well as fitness and recreation centres and outdoor gyms, would also be established.
"...Children's parks will have been built. ATMs will have been installed. Police stations will have been established. Health services on all islands, including laboratory services, will have been strengthened. School infrastructure, including facilities for inclusive education, will have been improved. Quran centres will have been established," he said.
The president also said every inhabited island would have a football or futsal ground, while electricity infrastructure, including power generation, cables and generators, would be upgraded nationwide.
He said that by Independence Day 2028, every atoll would have an STO fuel storage facility and improved airport access, with airports located within a 30-minute journey of islands in each atoll.
President Muizzu added that advanced healthcare services, including CT scans, dialysis, Pap smear screening, mammography, blood bank facilities and thalassemia services, would be available in every atoll.
"Sports complexes similar to those in Male' will be established. MNU and IUM campuses will be opened in every atoll. Islamic centres will be opened in every atoll. Housing will be provided in every atoll by July 26, 2028," he said.
The president also said at least 100 island council buildings would be completed and handed over, while at least 33 percent of the country's electricity consumption would come from renewable energy by July 26, 2028.
He said the government also aimed to plant at least five million trees across the country and fully implement its "Maldives 2.0" development initiative.
President Muizzu said the Chinese government would assist with the construction of Vilimale' Hospital and road development projects in Male', while the Indian-funded Thilamale' Bridge would also be completed and opened.
He added that the commercial port would be relocated from Male', parking buildings would be developed across the capital, and new stadiums for different sports would be opened.
"Yes, all these things will be established and, god willing, by 2040 we will achieve great success in making this country a developed nation," President Muizzu said.
