Pres pledges to develop Gan as urban centre
Regarding the development of the Kaddhoo airport, the President said the airport will be completed within the next year or a year and half.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday announced a plan to turn L. Gan into an urban centre with a population of 25,000 within a period of ten years.
Speaking at a rally in L. Gan on Monday evening , the President spoke about his plan to turn the island into an urban centre and transform the economy of the region.
The President said he would make Gan, one of the largest islands in Maldives, an attractive place for people to migrate from other areas.
The President said:
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The aim is to bring about revolutionary change
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With the aim of doubling the economy, it is important to involve the people as much as possible in different parts of the economy
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Policies should be shaped to make the best use of the natural resources available in Maldives
Noting that the atoll is also rich in natural resources, the President said the aim was to bring about changes in the area during the next five years.
The President said:
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A tertiary hospital will be built in Gan
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The decision to build a cancer hospital in Gan is still the same and that he would do it
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Kaddhoo Airport to be developed into international standards
"A little bit, some works have been delayed. I admit that," he said, noting that projects were delayed with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The President said that the projects to be brought to Gan, Addu, Fuvahmulah, Kulhudhuffushi and Villingili were huge projects, and it was difficult to raise funds and plan them.
"However, our plan has not changed. Our goal is to develop this town as an urban centre,” the President said.
Explaining the plan, the President said:
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He plans to turn Gan into a population of 25,000 within 10 years
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The plan includes health services, education, transportation and housing
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In the first phase, 1,000 housing units will be built for the people of Gan and those who want to migrate to the island
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The overall target is 5,000 housing units
"When we decide to have a population of 25,000 people live here, housing is one of the most important things. We have no intention of forcibly bringing [people] here. What we have to do is develop things here that attract people [to migrate]," he said.
Regarding the development of the Kaddhoo airport, the President said the airport will be completed within the next year or a year and half.
"We want to start a big tourism initiative and that can be done only if we can easily travel abroad at affordable rates. Once the airport is developed, it will happen," he said.
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The President said that medical tourism and sports tourism will also be promoted in Gan
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Special sports arenas will be built in Gan and facilities will be established to host international tournaments
With these facilities, more jobs will be created, and the 'urban center' will be attractive to the people of Gan and the new migrants, he said.
“There is absolute certainty that this place will become a complete urban center within ten years,” he said.
The President added that many things are already planned to be done in Gan:
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Construction of a football field
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Construction of a volleyball court in Thundi ward
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Construction of a running track
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Water and sewerage services to the land plot area
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Tourism work in Baresdhoo will start soon
