President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has this afternoon held discussions with Councillors from the Ukulhas Island Council of Ari Atoll Uthuruburi. Councillors shared the most pertinent interests from their constituency with the President. Speaking during the meeting, the council members noted that residents of the island had raised several concerns affecting their daily lives and livelihoods. They stated that the most important government project for Ukulhas Island is land reclamation to address space scarcity. They also discussed several urban development programmes, such as road development, upgrading the ferry terminal and repairs to the jetty at the local harbour. Councillors also requested for a youth centre, or similar programmes aimed at the youth, as well as establishing a Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre on the island. Further, they discussed avenues to improve healthcare on Ukulhas Island by expanding and broadening the availability of medical services at the Health Centre. President Solih addressed the concerns raised by the Councillors at today’s meeting. He stated that the government would provide full support to the Island Council to lawfully commission the ferry terminal upgrades to a private contractor. He further assured the Councillors that he would raise their concerns with the relevant government agencies to find swift solutions. Over the past two years, this government had spent an estimated MVR 25,930,550 on development projects at Alifu Alifu Ukhulas Island, including the establishment of an outdoor gym, electricity network upgrades and acquisition of a new 600kW electric generator. A project to repair damages to the ferry terminal is currently ongoing, as is the Ukulhas land reclamation project, contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). Additionally, a project to develop a youth centre on the island and the extension of the Health Centre are in the pipeline for Ukulhas Island, to be tendered in the last quarter of this year. Source: Presidency of Maldives

President of Malta, George Vella, took the opportunity at an annual event in Naxxar, bringing together all local organisations, to launch another strong appeal in favour of more unity in the country and to call for mutual respect despite the differences that exist and will continue to exist between us.

Every year, on the Sunday before the Feast of Our Lady of Victory, the local council and all clubs and associations in Naxxar come together to present the President of Malta with their donations in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation. The event takes place by rotation at the premises of one of the organisations, and this year it was the turn of the Labour Party club.

“Being here, at a political party club, and seeing the wide range of opinions, even of those of a different political view, is very satisfying. This is what we need in this country: we can disagree, but we can also respect each other. You, the people of Naxxar, have conveyed this message that, despite your differences and different opinions, it is possible to unite on something that is so common, the need to help a common cause, in this case, the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation”, stated the President.

President Vella criticised the current trend of insulting each other online and making allegations in the hope that something sticks. “That is not politics. We are civilised enough, capable enough, we have enough material, to act like civilised people. We must not depart with the mentality that everyone is corrupt, that no one is capable, that everyone is bought, that everyone is a string puppet. So, is integrity a thing of the past? There is this air that is bad, a sick air, that we can no longer work in.” He also warned that this situation is exasperating those who are trying to work, honestly and sincerely, to try to bring unity and to move forward while discouraging youths from being interested in an active role in politics. “Being so small, if we are divided, our strength will fade away. Aside from the fact that the more we fail to value ourselves, the less and less respect we get from those looking at us from the outside”, said the President.

While thanking the people of Naxxar for their generosity towards the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, the President pointed out that the foundation helps anyone who needs it, irrespective of their beliefs, and is committed to making their life less difficult. He said this was another difficult year for the foundation because, while costs continued soaring, revenues have decreased due to anti-COVID-19 restrictions. He urged other local councils to follow the example of the Naxxar Council, not only in raising funds for those in need but also to convey a message of unity.

In Naxxar, the President – who was accompanied by Mrs Vella and the Chairperson of the Administrative Board of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation Marlene Mizzi – was welcomed by Anna Marie Muscat Fenech Adami, Mayor of Naxxar, and Duminku Chircop, President of the Labour Party club.

Source: Office of the Prime Minister