President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has set his own deadline to fulfill his presidential pledges within the next two years without compromising on the country’s debt obligations.
During his meeting with residents of Kendhikulhudhoo as part of a 13-island tour of Noonu Atoll on Monday, the President reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his electoral pledges to the people.
As a key electoral pledge, President Dr Muizzu noted the official inauguration of RTL bus service in the island, vowing to expand the public transportation service in the future.
He said the project to add more classrooms to the Kendhikulhudhoo school will be completed within the next two months, adding that he has already sanctioned additional staff recruitment to the island’s health centre along with expansion of its ambulance service to strengthen health services in the island.
Highlighting the sports sector, the President said the government would establish a recreation centre, repair the damaged stadium and provide additional sports facilities in the island.
In addition, the obstacles encountered in the stalled water and sewerage project have been resolved and the project will be completed within two months, he said, adding that the environmental impact assessment of the island’s road construction project has been completed and will begin soon.
"The most important thing is to facilitate better livelihoods for the people. I have pledged more economic benefit for the people through tourism. I am working with you, relevant authorities and your parliament representative on that. Overall, I am working to fulfill the promises made to the people during the presidential election,” he explained.
President Dr Muizzu, during the visit, witnessed the ground breaking of the visitor center under the Kendhikulhudhoo Nature Park development project.
The Minister of Tourism and Environment, Thoriq Ibrahim officially broke ground on the visitor center named "The Mangrove Centre" with the President, cabinet ministers and heads of State-owned companies in attendance.
The nature park project is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, as part of President Dr Muizzu’s vision to establish a nature park in every Atoll while also aimed at expanding eco-tourism in Kendhikulhudhoo.
The project will provide canoes, life boats, paddle boats for nature based recreational activities and battery bikes and buggies for road transport, along with the development of pathways to the Visitor Center and Nature Park.
The Kendhikulhudhoo Island Council has said this landmark project will promote local tourism, especially environmentally friendly tourism and advertise the natural beauty of the island.
Prior to meeting the residents, President Dr Muizzu officially inaugurated RTL bus service in Kendhikulhudhoo.
The bus service will largely offer convenient public transportation to the students of the two schools in Kendhikulhudhoo, one of the larger islands in the Maldives.
The broader RTL project, managed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), is designed to offer accessible, affordable maritime and land transport across the country. Implementation is being carried out in phases, with the country divided into six zones to streamline operations.
The commitment was underscored by the formal launch of ferry operations in Raa Atoll last month, the tenth atoll to join the expanding RTL network.
President Dr Muizzu, during his visit met with members of the Kendhikulhudhoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of key local institutions to discuss the island’s most pressing developmental needs.
During the meeting, Council members expressed their appreciation for the launch of the RTL bus service, noting its positive impact on residents. Discussions also focused on enhancing healthcare services, advancing the school development project, expanding the electricity supply to newly populated areas, and expediting the establishment of water and sanitation facilities within the community.
President Dr Muizzu assured that the Government would address the concerns raised by the Council. He also shared updates on ongoing development projects, with ministers and representatives from relevant companies offering further details during the session.
In addition to Kendhikulhudhoo, President Dr Muizzu’s five-day itinerary, spanning 21-24 July, includes visits to Hen'badhoo, Holhudhoo, Lhohi, Kudafari, Velidhoo, Manadhoo, Magoodhoo, Maalhendhoo, Miladhoo, Fodhdhoo, and Landhoo.