Underlining that one third of the country´s population lived below poverty line, President Mohamed Nasheed has said he was encouraged and reassured by the government´s progress towards alleviating poverty.
He made the remarks, visiting Thoddoo of North Ari Atoll this morning, as part of his one day tour of some islands of the atoll.
Saying that it would be impossible for the country develop when more than one third of the population could not afford the basic or low quality services available, he noted that the government´s social security programme was aimed at alleviating poverty.
President Nasheed said during the last two years, 10 per cent of the state budget was allocated for the social security programme.
He said, as a result of the government´s efforts, the poorest and the most vulnerable were now protected by the social security framework, and the government could now expend its resources on other developmental programmes.
Highlighting the success of the social security programme, the President said, as part of its pledge to provide affordable healthcare, 211 residents of Thoddoo were now insured under Madhana health insurance scheme, while 70 residents of Thoddoo received old age pension initiated by his administration.
On the pledge of establishing a nationwide transport network, the President said it has achieved its target of establishing basic services within the first two years. He said, after the service began in the province that included Thoddo, 1627 passengers have begun their journey from Thoddoo, while 1838 passengers have completed their journey to Thoddoo.
Furthermore, the President stated that construction of the island´s sewerage system would commence this year.
Before visiting Thoddoo, the President visited Rasdhoo this morning. During the visit he inspected the progress of building the island´s harbour that the President inaugurated on 6 May 2010.
The President was given a warm welcome by the people of both islands when he arrived in the islands.