Stability, development and prosperity: Yameen’s state of the nation address
Yameen used his fourth state of the nation address to underscore the government’s achievements in 2016 and to set forth ambitious goals of creating thousands of new jobs and developing regional hospitals and airports.

06 Feb 2017, 9:00 AM
Five loans worth MVR4.79 billion (US$310 million) secured for “vital development projects”
US$900 million invested during the past three years to upgrade and expand the Velana International Airport
MVR140 million (US$9 million) spent to upgrade vehicles and equipment used to clear goods at the Malé commercial harbour
1,500 housing units completed in Hulhumalé, Gaaf Alif Vilingili, Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo, Gnaviyani Fuvahmulah and Addu City.
Harbour projects completed in 13 islands and currently underway in 43 islands
Sewerage system projects carried out in 56 islands, of which the design stage was completed in 32 islands and contractors hired for 11 islands. Sewerage systems were installed in 21 islands, and service commenced in eight islands.
Land reclamation and coastal protection in four islands
Shore protection projects for islands facing beach erosion conducted in 22 islands and completed in 12 islands
Waste disposal projects commenced in 21 islands
Land reclamation work completed for an industrial village in the southwestern harbour of Malé and relocation of waste management to the area
Renewable energy projects carried out in 112 islands as part of an initiative to produce 30 percent of electricity needed for daily consumption via renewable sources
Clean drinking water systems installed in 15 islands and work underway in 71 islands
Credit guarantees increased from MVR50 million to MVR100 million for small and medium-sized enterprises
Merging of the debt-ridden state fisheries company with the State Trading Organisation
Upgrading the Felivaru fish cannery to meet quality requirements of European supermarket chains
Agricultural skills development programmes conducted in 26 islands
Higher rent revenue due to changes brought to the leasing of uninhabited islands
6,235 jobs created in the fisheries and agriculture industries
Reaching a milestone of a 60 percent pass rate in the O’Level and secondary school examinations
Providing free pre-school in all inhabited islands
Enrolling 40 percent of students in a new vocational stream for skills training
Establishing a national cardiac centre, a national urorenal and fertility centre, and commencing x-ray services in the government-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in the capital
Visits by 80 super-specialist doctors to 14 atolls to treat 5,427 patients
Securing jobs for 277 individuals with disabilities
Skills development programme conducted for 600 unemployed youth
Commencing work on establishing sports arenas in islands with populations exceeding 1,000