President: Some projects aren’t running at desired speed, doesn’t mean we aren’t doing it

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu states that while some developmental projects aren’t running at the desired speed, it does not mean the government has stopped work on the projects.

President Muizzu made the remarks in response to questions regarding a stall in projects to upgrade the health center at R. Alifushi.

Speaking to reporters during his weekly press briefing on Monday, President Muizzu said that the development of the healthcare sector remains one of his administration’s top priorities.

He said that health sector projects and programs make up for the majority of projects earmarked under new policy initiatives.

President Muizzu said that the country’s healthcare sector was at a “dire” state when he took office in 2023.  He said that his administration has been engaged in a lot of initiatives under its holistic approach to healthcare.

He said that the project in Alifushi, in particular, was of strategic importance under the administration’s regional development policy.

He said that both the hospital and airport projects in Alifushi were key priorities for his administration, and provided assurance that both the hospital and airport would open before the end of his current term.

President Muizzu admitted that some projects were being run at the desired speed.

He said that the administration has now facilitated financial support to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to help speed up projects, and that the company should procure the equipment it needs and launch practical works soon.

“Now, as you mentioned, some projects aren’t run at the speed we desire. But that does not mean we aren’t conducting projects,” he said.

President Muizzu said that his administration has formulated a timeline for all ongoing health center and hospital projects across the country.

He said that the administration will be completing all projects starting next year, with projects to develop 50-bed hospitals expected to be done by the second quarter of 2028.

He said that the administration will be sharing details of the timeline at a later date.

The remarks come amid public complaints regarding the slow pace of developmental projects in the atolls.