PPM government will lease a resort for each atoll, aimed at atoll development: Yameen

Presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdulla Yameen has pledged to lease an island for resort development for every atoll, in a PPM government.

Yameen made his statement at the inauguration ceremony of a PPM campaign post in Fuvahmulah today, as part of his campaign for the second round of the presidential polls.

Speaking at the event, Yameen said that a PPM government will facilitate for every atoll to gain a revenue from a tourist resort.

He said that the resorts would empower the atoll councils, advance their financial status, improve their functioning and directly benefit the people, within those atolls.

He said that the revenue generated from the atolls can then be distributed within the members of the atoll council, or the people of the atoll, allowing them to utilize the funds to fulfill their most pressing needs.

Yameen also pledged to create more tourism and tourism related businesses jobs for the younger generations.

He said that it would have dramatic financial benefits for the younger generations if the Maldivian employees working in resorts were to hold shares in the resorts. He said that any employer that offers shares to their employees would receive privileges from the government, including extension of lease periods and increase in other such benefits.

Speaking of the irregularities surrounding the first round of the presidential polls, Yameen said that in light of recent events, it is hard to confidently state that the results is 100 percent accurate.

Yameen is accompanied former president, president of PPM Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in his current campaign trip to Fuvahmulah.