President says nationwide ferry network only way to bring meaningful development

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Tuesday that Raajje Transport Link (RTL) ferry service established in the upper north atolls is not enough, and that the service should be expanded nationwide to bring meaningful development.

The president made this remark while speaking after the inauguration of RTL’s ferry services in the north. He had travelled by ferry from HA. Utheemu to the atoll’s capital Dhidhoo to inaugurate the Zone 1 ferry services, which includes the upper north atolls of Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu and Shaviyani. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the president noted that although ferry services are currently established in the north, the system is a vision that will be implemented in the same way throughout the country.

The president said that connecting 41 islands in the north through the ferry system shows that the government does not discriminate in development. The president also noted that the south of the Maldives will be connected by a ferry system next year.

"I would say the same thing again; no matter how small a population, how few resources are available, or how isolated, there will not be a water-logged, under developed island in the Maldives," said the president.

"In the coming year, RTL vessels will weave together the whole of Huvadhoo atoll. With that, RTL will cross the equator and also connect the whole of the south together; Fuvahmulah, Addu and Huvadhoo."

The president said that no matter how many ferries are required to provide ferry services across the country, it needs to be done.

"Even if there are a large number of islands, or the cost of acquiring these vessels are high, there will be no delay in this matter. This major development in Bodu Thiladhunmathi Atoll will not have lasting meaning unless the same development is allowed everywhere in this country," said President Solih.

MTCC has tasked well-known boat builder Al-Shaali Marine to build 65 ferries needed for the 17 atolls that do not have RTL ferry services.

MTCC aims to expand the ferry system to 10 more atolls before the end of President Solih’s term in 2023.