The President Delivers The Presidential Address At The Opening Of People’s Majlis

On Monday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih delivered his Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis for the year 2023. He delivered his address during the morning hours of the first session of the People's Majlis. Shedding light on various areas and initiatives, some of his key remarks made touched on the pertinent needs of the citizens.

Speaking in his address to the Parliament and other dignitaries, he stated that the administration’s most crucial obligation in the future would be preserving the peace, stability and harmony maintained in the course of the past four years. He laid down that the ability to listen, consult and comprise on certain issues while holding to its fundamental beliefs and values is the fastest way to secure that obligation.

Speaking further, the President said that the administration pledged to deliver sweeping reforms to bring prosperity to citizens without discrimination. In this way, the President highlighted the many initiatives undertaken by his administration in different fields and spotlighted that the government is investing in future generations to ensure the nation’s continued success.

On improving the quality of education, President Solih noted that 1578 projects for classroom buildings and 85 projects for developing multi-purpose halls are underway and 509 education-related infrastructure projects are ongoing at the moment. The President also underscored the government’s free degree programme in which 16,315 are enrolled so far and even shed light on the great strides taken to address the needs of teachers and education facilitators.

Moreover, President Solih announced in his address that all government employees will now be eligible for the 35% civil service allowance effective from 1st May 2023 and shared that wage raises are in the pipeline for healthcare sector staff as well. He added that all university employees are also entitled to enjoy positive shifts in their wages in the coming future.

With regard to expanding transportation and bringing equitable development across the country, President Solih remarked that by the end of this year, the administration would connect Huvadhu Atoll, Fuvahmulah City and Addu City via the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) high-speed ferry service. As for airport development, two large-scale projects are ongoing currently with Hanimadhoo International Airport in the North and Gan International Airport in the South amid other domestic airport development projects.

Furthermore, the President disclosed plans to increase the number of land plots allocated for the resident of the Greater Male’ area under the government’s efforts to ease the housing crisis. Speaking on nationwide housing, he said that 556 housing units across atolls will be completed by the end of May and 2200 units are well underway. Likewise, he also mentioned that the government will hand over title deeds to the recipients of flats and land plots by end of June.

The President emphasized the progress in establishing tertiary hospitals and restoring primary healthcare services with community health workers. He highlighted the importance of the availability of mental health services in the country and stated that the Center for Mental Health had successfully reduced its waitlist from over 3,000 to 411.

Additionally, President Solih announced the compilation of the National Disability Registry and stated that the disability allowance would be increased starting in June. Highlighting that maintaining social justice would be difficult without gender equality, President Solih added that implementing the Gender Equality Action Plan was in rapid progress.

Bringing forth the economic trajectory of the Maldives, the President disclosed that the World Bank’s forecast for 2022 was 7.6% which was later revised to 12.3% by the end of the year. In this regard, he added that the state collected MVR 3.5 billion in income in January 2023 alone as well.