In his weekly radio address, broadcast on the Voice of Maldives this morning, President Mohamed Nasheed spoke on providing affordable and reliable electricity, and quality healthcare in the islands.
Discussing the government’s efforts to provide affordable and reliable electricity in the islands, he spoke on the importance of providing electricity to all the islands of a province by the respective provincial utilities company.
He said the policy of managing island powerhouses by the utilities companies was based on in depth research, and reiterated the government’s belief in the benefits of the system.
Recalling his visits to the islands since the beginning of this year, the President said he found that utilities companies provided electricity more efficiently than in the previous system where electricity facilities were managed by communities.
However, he said, despite the inadequate and unreliable electricity facilities, a number of islands have opposed the policy to transfer the management of powerhouses to utilities companies.
Speaking in this regard, President Nasheed said utilities companies could provide electricity more reliably, and manage island powerhouses more effectively. He added that utilities companies would be the way forward, in order to reach our development targets.
On the topic of providing quality healthcare in the islands, the President said providing quality and affordable healthcare for all was an important priority of the government.
He said the nationwide transport system would complement the government’s healthcare policy.
The President said, when the transport system was complete, residents of small islands could easily travel to the nearest health facility if the service they required was not available in their islands.
He also said the government was continuously working to improve the standard of healthcare facilities in the islands.
In his 38th radio address, President Nasheed also spoke on his upcoming official visit to Europe.
