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April 4, 2023: President Muizzu attends a campaign event held in Maafushi. Dhauru Photo/Muzayyin Nazim

Pres to keep dollar ATM promise to Maafushi this year

The President assured that he would not delay fulfilling his promises until the end of his rule.

15 February 2024

By Fathmath Ahmed Shareef

President Mohammed Muizzu has said that he will try to install a USD ATM in K. Maafushi this year, as he had promised the island.

The President said this responding to a question from a local man in the special programme being conducted to facilitate the people to ask the President directly about their concerns.

A resident of Maafushi, Ahmed Sameer questioned two promises made by the President to the island during the last presidential election. Thus:

  • He asked when the promise of dollar ATMs and the promise of dredging Maafushi would be fulfilled

  • He asked the President to give a specific date for the same and to fulfil those promises, not allowing him to do so when the end of five years were nearing completion

In response to this question, the President said that he promised a dollar ATM in Maafushi because it is a very important service for the island.

"We have talked to the Bank of Maldives and hopefully within this year my target is to install the ATM, as soon as possible. I will do my best," he said.

Regarding the land reclamation promise, the President said:

  • The work may not be done this year

  • However, he assured that he would not delay fulfilling his promises until the end of his rule

"Therefore, the dredging work will start as soon as possible. However, it is difficult to give an exact date right now," he said.

Sameer also asked the President about when dollar shortages can be resolved. He said business owners in Maafushi face many difficulties in this regard.

In response, the President said the dollar shortage could be reduced by introducing economic reforms and expanding the economy. The President said that attracting foreign investments is one of his goals to tackle the dollar issue.

"If big projects start taking place, and big investments start increasing, there will be plenty of dollars; it will be faster and easier to get dollars," he said.

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