The people of H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi reject the negative comments by former President Mohamed Nasheed regarding the airport development project on the island, says Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Speaking to “Sun” from Kulhudhuffushi, Muizzu said Nasheed was currently far removed from things to understand the sentiments of the people of Kulhudhuffushi.
Muizzu said that President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, on the other hand, shared the stood on the same Maldivian earth as the people of Kulhudhuffushi, and it was his words that they now heeded.
Nasheed has recently tweeted that the people of Kulhudhuffushi needed a timely, reliable and speedy sea transport system rather than an airport.
Muizzu said the people of Kulhudhuffushi wanted direct, daily flights from their island to Velana International Airport.
“The people of Kulhudhuffushi are saying; build the airport. But President Nasheed says the people don’t want an airport. So, his words are straight out contradictory,” said Muizzu.
Muizzu said the people did not want to hear such opinions from Nasheed, and that he should instead return to Maldives and serve his 13-year prison sentence.
Muizzu alleged Nasheed was attempting to create dissent within Kulhudhuffushi from abroad.
He said building an airport in Kulhudhuffushi would considerably improve the quality of life of the locals.
“The airport will increase investments at this island and create new opportunities for businesses,” said Muizzu.
He said regional development was one of Yameen’s biggest priorities, and that Kulhudhuffushi was the hub of development in the north. He noted that Maldives Road Development Corporation (MRDC) has been contracted to build the streets of the island, and said an international company has been contracted to modernize and develop the Kulhudhuffushi Hospital.