President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed that over 50,000 passengers have used the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) high-speed ferry service. He made the statement in his opening address at the third Viavathi Rajje conference being held in Gan, Laamu Atoll.
Speaking at the conference, President Solih highlighted the success of the RTL initiative that has facilitated transportation to an unprecedented level and revived the economic activities of individual islands. He said that over 50,000 passengers have used the service, which currently connects 41 islands in Haa Alifu Atoll, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, and Shaviyani Atoll. He added that work is being conducted to connect more islands to the high-speed ferry service.
Furthermore, President Solih said the decentralised governance is the most significant administrative change the country has ever seen and that the development projects spearheaded by the administration are carried out in a manner that would enable every citizen to attain self-determination and build prosperous lives with their families. He underscored the administration’s initiatives to strengthen the healthcare system and said that the expansion of the health sector is currently underway with a specialist doctor outreach programme and mobile laboratory services targeted toward islands that lack these services.
Additionally, President Solih detailed the work being conducted for infrastructure development. He noted that 70% of the inhabited islands in the country lacked water or sewerage systems until 2018 and said that it was the administration’s aim to complete these essential services in all inhabited islands during his five-year term. He also said that power generation has increased significantly, doubling the total capacity recorded over the last 70 years combined. He credited Fenaka Corporation Limited for carrying out mega projects to replace the old, outdated, and defective generator sets and prevent harmful smoke from being emitted from the powerhouses.
In conclusion, President Solih emphasised that decentralised development was the cornerstone of all of the administration’s policies and reiterated that his administration sought equitable development, despite the size or political leanings of the island. He said the end result of prosperous lives would be the union between every service, business, and every island. He added that the decentralisation system is now the major pillar of the government's policies, which are all created to make it easier for the growth of islands that are closely connected to one another.