Mariya 'shocked' to see support for Pres Solih in Hulhumale Phase 2

Defence minister Mariya Ahmed Didi said on Saturday that the support for President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih in the second phase of Hulhumale was really great and that it shocked her to see it.

A party camp has been opened in the second phase of Hulhumale on Saturday, in order to campaign for the upcoming elections. The 'Phase 2 Jagaha' was inaugurated at Rehendhi Beach area in the second phase of Hulhumale.

After opening the camp, Mariya said that when she arrived, she was shocked to see the number of people who had come out to welcome her. She said she did not expect such a welcome from the second phase of Hulhumale.

"I was shocked when I reached here. I didn't think you would give such a welcome to any MDP person they way you did for me when I came to open the camp in the second phase of Hulhumale," she said.

That was not without reason, she said, adding that the second phase of Hulhumale had not been directly worked on during the MDP presidential primary last January. However, she noted the efforts made to activate the second phase of Hulhumale.

Mariya said:

Noting that President Solih has been talking about a Jazeera Maldives for the past five years, she said the construction of flats on land awarded free to Male natives under the government's Binveriya scheme will reduce rents and everyone will be able to live in peace.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hulhumale MP Ali Niyaz said some people thought it would not be possible for the MDP to campaign in the second phase of Hulhumale.

So far, the MDP has not received satisfactory support from the second phase of Hulhumale, but the support witnessed on Saturday is the result of patience and thoughtful work, he said.

The campaign movement in the second phase of Hulhumale is very important, he said, adding that the MDP has 17 years of experience in campaigning.