President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to develop the harbour and enhance the healthcare centre on Rathafandhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. He made this commitment while addressing the island's residential community.
President Dr Muizzu's visit to Rathafandhoo is part of his ongoing three-day tour of several islands in the Huvadhu Atoll—Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu Atolls. Speaking to the residents, he reiterated his commitment to ensuring equitable development across all islands, regardless of their size or population.
"The objective of visiting the outer islands and engaging with the residential communities is to assess their well-being and developmental needs," President Dr Muizzu stated. "Our goal is to actively assist them in finding solutions to their concerns."
He underlined that the president should not be confined to the capital city but should extend services to other islands. Despite Rathafandhoo being a relatively small island, President Muizzu assured that its needs are of significant importance to his administration.
The president underscored the community's aspiration for harbour development and confirmed that Rathafandhoo's harbour would be developed as part of the administration's initiatives this year. He also highlighted the significance of the island's education and healthcare services, pledging improvements to the healthcare centre, including addressing space constraints and enhancing infrastructure and resources.
"In this year's budget, substantial emphasis is placed on enhancing the healthcare and education sectors," President Dr Muizzu assured. "We will elevate the standard of healthcare services at this island's healthcare centre, increase staffing, and ensure it aligns with the preferences of the island's residential community."
President Dr Muizzu also addressed the needs of the island's youth, pledging to develop a volleyball court, an indoor gymnasium, and a youth centre. He also assured that projects to develop water supply and sewerage network services would soon commence, along with a coastal protection project.
Highlighting his broader vision, President Dr Muizzu stated that numerous significant developmental initiatives would be undertaken across many inhabited islands this year. He added that the administration aims to commence as many projects as possible, in accordance with the allocated budget.
President Dr Muizzu's visit to Rathafandhoo is part of his broader tour of nine islands in the Huvadhu Atoll, including Nadellaa, Vaadhoo, Fiyoari, and Hoadedhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Kanduhulhudhoo, Nilandhoo, Maamendhoo, and Dhevvadhoo in Gaafu Alifu Atoll.