The Government of Maldives has allocated USD 1.35 million dollars from the grant assistance provided by Government of India to conduct three projects.
In this regard, USD 516,392 have been allocated for the procurement of vehicles and machinery to Male' City Council. The aim is to ease the pressure, strengthen and increase the capacity of the council to carry out more development projects and deliver efficient and timely services to the residents of capital, Male' City.
Moreover, USD 322,745 have been allocated to construct a Community Centre in Foakaidhoo in Shaviyani Atoll. Under the project, a community centre which will cater for community activities, including youth activities, administrative space for women's development councils, library services and space for atoll and regional level seminars, workshops and conferences. Currently, there is a lack of social infrastructure on the island to conduct community activities and cater to the demands of various age groups for their social activities.
Furthermore, USD 516,392 have been allocated for the procurement of vehicles for Maldives Correctional Services. Under the project, the Maldives Correctional Services will procure vans and launches necessary for the transfer of prisoners between various locations in a timely manner.
Meanwhile, 7 more projects which are of high impact were funded by the grant assistance, including development of classrooms, procurement of ambulances and enhancing healthcare facilities. The grant assistance was provided through the USD 6.9 million granted to the Government of Maldives by the Government of India during the visit of former Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj in March. The aim of the grant assistance is to conduct socio-economic development projects across the country which are of high impact.
The projects for the islands are all requests made to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during his weekly meetings with local island councils, visits to the islands during the campaigns; and urgent issues brought to the attention of the president by ministries, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.