President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announces ‘Picnic Island’, at a special ceremony inaugurating the concept held this evening at the National Art Gallery.

The island, which is located within a fifteen minute travel distance of Male’ is being developed by Thailand based business Singha Estate, as part of the ‘cross roads’ project they are implementing in Emboodhoo Lagoon. The island will be devoted entirely to rest and recreation and will have facilities that will cater to sports and entertainment. It is designed to be appealing to youth in particular.

The President delivered a speech at the event during which he stated that developing this island was one of the 100 days’ pledges of this administration and is in keeping with the government’s overarching policy of a Jazeera Raajje, which will ensure that our economic progress occurs in harmony with our citizens’ right to enjoy this country’s unique natural blessings.

He further assured that the government is resolved to taking further steps to keep with the Jazeera Raajje spirit, including ensuring that certain roads are closed during the morning on Fridays for the benefit of families and children, converting unused spaces into public parks and taking measures to ameliorate the congestion in Male’.

The government is currently working to ensure that picnic island is opened to public use by the end of the year.