Muizzu pledges to build an airport in Fainu

The opposition PPM-PNC’s presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to build an airport in R. Fainu, as was originally planned during former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

In a campaign rally in R. Inguraidhoo on Wednesday, Muizzu noted that the R. Atoll has a large number of resorts. He promised to add 10 more to the region if he is elected to office.

Muizzu said that the additional resorts will only increase the importance of a resort in southern R. Atoll.

“President Solih, with his long-term vision, decided to build an airport in Fainu. He also initiated efforts on that front. Looking at the cost, the project could be conducted by reclaiming a small size of land,” he said.

Muizzu promised to build an airport in Fainu, which he said would be a good investment that will benefit the residential islands and resorts in southern R. Atoll.

He said that the people of Maldives have experienced development during two presidential terms; during Yameen’s administration, and during the current administration.

“In Sha Allah, the people have experienced development during two different administrations,” he said.

“You have an easy decision to make. Choose guaranteed development, or no development.”

Muizzu criticized the road development project launched in Inguraidhoo on Tuesday, saying that if the administration had any sincerity, then the last days of their term wouldn’t be when they would realize the need to develop the roads.

He said that he conducts research to find out the needs of local communities before visiting each island.

He promised to complete the development of Inguraidhoo’s health center and the expansion of the island’s harbor.

“I promise you that I will do things fairly and attentively when it comes to development, irrespective of the size of the population,” he said.

Muizzu pledged to reclaim land and run housing projects in nearly all islands of the atoll.

The plans to build an airport in Fainu had been scrapped in response to the ‘Save Fainu’ movement.

While Muizzu says that he will build the airport in Fainu as originally planned, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced in June that the airport would be built in Beriyanfaru.

MNP’s leader and presidential candidate, Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, too, has pledged to develop the airport in Fainu instead.