Benefits of Government policies evident – Pres.

Addressing the people of Nilandhoo and Maamendhoo of North Huvadhu Atoll yesterday morning, President Mohamed Nasheed has said the benefits and progress resulting from the government’s policies were now evident in all areas of the country.

He said these policies were based on the government’s electoral pledges that reflected the most immediate needs of the people that became clear to ruling MDP during their pre-election visits to the islands and consultations with people.

The President said one of the pledges of the government was increasing value of fish sold to the market by local fishermen.

He noted that the value of fish has significantly increased following the government’s decision to open up local fishing industry and allowing any small and medium enterprise to buy fish directly from fishermen.

Meeting the people in Nilandhoo as well as Maamendhoo, the President underscored the social and economic benefits of the government’s programmes especially its social security programme.

He said 153 Nilandhoo residents and 219 Maamendhoo residents were insured by the Madhana health insurance programme, while 62 Nilandhoo residents and 67 Maamendhoo residents received the old age pension. In his address to people of Maamendhoo, the President revealed that the government would commence constructing the island’s harbour this year.

President Nasheed also visited Vilingili and Kolamaafushi of North Huvadhu Atoll as part of his tour of Huvadhu Atoll that he began yesterday. He received a warm welcome from the people of both islands as he arrived in the islands.

Meeting the people of both islands, he noted that Huvadhu Atoll was especially known for their fishing, and local fishermen have begun to see the benefits annulling the licenses issued by the previous administration to overseas fishermen to do long line fishing 100 miles off the Maldives.

In the address at Kolamaafushi, the last stop in his tour of Huvadhu Atoll, the President also underscored the government´s fisheries policy. Recalling that ruling MDP announced its fisheries policy prior to 2008 elections, he said MDP pledged to increase the value of fish caught by local fishermen to reflect the fish prices in the international market.

The President said after the government decided to open up fishing industry for competition and allowed small and medium enterprises to buy and export fish, value of fish has increased to an average of Rf10 per kilogram from an average of less than Rf5 for a kilogram of fish.

Addressing the people of Vilingili, President Nasheed revealed that the government would begin constructing an airstrip in Vilingili this year. He said this airstrip would foster development tourism and commercial activities in the atoll.

In Kolamaafushi, he also said the government has contracted building the island´s sewerage system to a third party and was expected to commence the work within next few months. The President revealed that the island´s health centre would be upgraded this year with the installation of a telemedicine system.

In both islands, the President reiterated the need for a strong social security framework to ensure the development of the country.