President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on the occasion of Maldives' 53rd Republic Day this Wednesday, declared that political and social stability were achieved in the country, adding that the following year will be dedicated to capacity building and development projects.
Speaking at the televised national address, President Solih, while marking two years to his presidency, highlighted that the third year of his tenure will be fraught with many challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he assured that his administration would begin their work in line with the hopes of the Maldivian people.
Highlighting his achievements, he stated that a total of 372 projects were initiated during his time as president, out of which 154 are ongoing.
In regards to the development projects slated for next year, President Solih highlighted a total of 56 projects to decentralize the health system in the country, including the tertiary hospitals planned to be established in five regions of the archipelago.
Moreover, he pledged that every island in the country will have access to clean drinking water and sanitation by the end of his first term in 2023.
Referring back to the pandemic, President Solih emphasised the need to diversify the economy, stating that its dependency on the tourism sector was a learned experience. In order to do so, the government will initiate plans to expand the economy by strengthening both the fisheries and agricultural sectors, he said.
The president also expressed his intention to expand the fields of education, sports, mental wellbeing and environment during his tenure.
Since becoming a republic in 1968, Maldives has had a long history of having held presidential inaugurations on the 11th of November, until November 11, 2013. From the first elected president, Ibrahim Nasir, to Asia’s longest-serving president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and former president Mohamed Nasheed, 11.11 has been a colourful celebration on calendars across the archipelago.
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