National development projects experienced slight delays over the past two months owing to the conflict in the West Asia region, but all related work is currently ongoing and actively progressing, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated. Speaking on PSM News’ ‘Nation Chat’ programme, President Muizzu noted that over the past two and a half years, the administration has executed a multitude of operations within the infrastructure development sector.
These extensive initiatives span various regions, integrating island harbours, roadways, regional airport expansions, and comprehensive land reclamation into the national agenda. More than 1,100 hectares of land have been successfully reclaimed from 21 different islands, including 500 hectares specifically from the Rasmalé development. Land reclamation projects necessitate substantial financial expenditure, yet they remain fundamentally important when evaluated through the lens of sustainable development, President Muizzu noted.
"We are designing our urban development initiatives to serve as comprehensive regional development strategies," President Muizzu explained. "For instance, the locations selected for airport development are deliberately chosen to facilitate and benefit from broader population consolidation. Furthermore, when examining harbour construction alongside water and sanitation initiatives, a substantial number of these infrastructural projects have already been successfully advanced."
Even while managing national debt repayments and navigating complex external challenges, the results of the efforts remain highly positive, President Muizzu observed. The economic reverberations of the West Asia war have mandated careful attention across numerous state functions; in scenarios requiring strict prioritisation, precedence will be given strictly to housing and the healthcare sector. At present, however, the administration is working to ensure no further delays stall other ongoing matters.
"We are currently navigating significant challenges stemming from elevated oil prices and logistical difficulties in the procurement of essential construction materials," the president noted. "Consequently, we are encountering certain operational delays. Nevertheless, we are actively managing and mitigating these disruptions. The President's Office is conducting daily progress reviews of these initiatives in close coordination with the relevant ministries and key stakeholders. In tandem with these reviews, we are continuously evaluating the precise strategic adjustments necessary to ensure these projects continue moving forward."
The administration remains fully committed to fulfilling its electoral pledges, President Muizzu affirmed. Although a minor slowdown occurred over the preceding two months in connection with the West Asia conflict, all project operations are now moving forward, and the resulting outcomes during the remaining six months of the current year will be highly positive, he concluded.