The President speaks on the need to begin social protection programmes for the needy

In this week’s radio address, President Mohamed Nasheed has spoken on the need to begin comprehensive social protection programmes for the needy.

He noted that about 1,6000 Maldivian citizens live below the poverty line. He added that unless they are enabled to live a life of dignity, the country would not prosper. He said, therefore, it was important to provide them with subsidies for electricity and food as well as providing assistance to single-parents and people with disabilities.

In his radio address, the President said that during the past year, the government has made considerable achievements while at the same time there were things that were yet to be achieved.

He further said that the government’s hope was to better the life of the people and bring prosperity to the nation.

The President also highlighted the developmental projects undertaken by the government and spoke on the progress made in those projects.

In this regard, he noted that an agreement has been signed with Falcon Energy to build and operate a wind farm in Gaafaru Island.

The wind farm will produce clean electricity for North Male’ atoll, which includes Male’ island, the Maldivian capital, the international airport island of Hulhule’ and a number of luxury tourist resorts.

The President further revealed that an agreement would be signed today to build a wind farm in Addu Atoll.

In addition, the President noted that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with GMR Infrastructure Global Limited to develop a trendsetting international airport at Hanimaadhoo in the Upper North Province.

On housing, the President said that an agreement on the housing project would be signed with Tata group in the coming weeks.