As part of the tour of some islands of Raa Atoll he began this morning, President Mohamed Nasheed has visited Maakurathu this afternoon.
Addressing the people of Maakurathu, President Nasheed said the government had a plan for the development of the island.
He said that the government understood the provision of employment opportunities for the people of the island was linked to the development of aquaculture in the region especially in the island.
Speaking in this regard, he underscored that the government’s aim was not only enhancing the traditional fishing industry, but also developing aquaculture and mariculture industries in the Maldives. He noted that a number of islands in Noonu Atoll, the atoll adjacent to Raa Atoll, have boosted their economies by increasing their participation in the industry. The President said the government’s aim was to provide similar opportunities for the people of Maakurathu.
In his address to the people of the island, the President also underlined the government’s policy to provide basic services such as water, electricity and sewerage systems through provincial utilities companies on corporate basis.
He said the government recognised that providing these services on commercial basis with a larger customer base than a single island would make services more sustainable and affordable.
The President said, while many islands were enjoying the benefits of lower electricity prices as a result of economies of scale achieved by utilities companies.
The government has established provincial utilities companies that provide water, electricity and sewerage systems for all the islands of the province they were assigned.
Underscoring the government’s achievements in the delivery of its pledges, the President asserted that 150 residents of Maakurathu was insured by the Madhana social health insurance scheme, as part of the pledge to increase access to healthcare.
He also said 58 of the island’s residents received the government’s old age pension for people above the age of 65 years, while 16 residents received special assistance for people with special needs and single parents under the government’s social protection programme.
Highlighting the success of the government’s initiative to establish a nationwide transport network, the President said a total of 1037 passengers began their journey in Maakurathu and 967 passengers entered in the island since the service began in the north province.