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President vows to bring huge developmental changes to northernmost region

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has vowed to bring huge developmental changes to the northernmost region after the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport. He made the remarks at the inauguration of the new powerhouse in Utheemu, Haa Alifu Atoll.

At the inauguration ceremony, President Solih said the new powerhouse will bring an end to the island's long-standing electricity problems. The president reflected on how the electricity service has improved on the island and said that the service was first introduced with a 5KW generator. He said the service has now been upgraded with a new powerhouse capable of generating one megawatt of energy.

Additionally, President Solih recognised the efforts of Fenaka Corporation Limited in developing the nation, saying that the people and the administration have faith in the company and all of its employees. He said he also believes that Fenaka would make informed decisions based on the public’s most urgent needs.

Furthermore, President Solih acknowledged the hard work of all the companies that worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to complete various developmental projects. He provided updates on the ongoing projects and the initiatives that have been planned for Utheemu. He noted the historical significance of the island and said the recently developed ferry network has made the island more accessible.

President Solih said the development initiatives will lead to the expansion of the tourism industry in the northernmost atolls and the development of the local economy. He expressed confidence that 8,000 tourism beds will come into operation in the next five years after the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport, as more investors would be interested in the region.

The government aims to complete the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport before the end of the presidential term. The project is being funded by loan assistance from the EXIM Bank of India and includes major infrastructure and operational upgrades and building infrastructure to meet the future growth of traffic to the Maldives. It includes developing a 2.46km runway to enable larger aircraft such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s to land at the airport. It also includes the construction of a modern terminal to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually, as well as the construction of a cargo terminal, fuel farms, and a fire station.