Youth Minister’s Adviser and former Deputy Mayor of Malé City, Ahmed Nareesh, has said the development of Gaafu Alifu Villingili is key to progress across the northern part of Huvadhu Atoll, and urged residents to elect candidates who will work in step with the Government of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Nareesh made the remarks at a gathering held in Villingili to launch the People’s National Congress (PNC) campaign for the upcoming Local Council Elections and introduce the party’s candidates for the Villingili Council and the island’s Women’s Development Committee.

In his speech, Nareesh said President Dr Muizzu is the only political leader who has published his pledges in writing and invited the public to assess their implementation. He added that national development projects have now been prioritised, assigned to state-owned enterprises and private contractors, and are already underway in many islands, with timelines outlined in the President’s Presidential Address.

He stressed that councils play a central role in moving projects forward, as key decisions require council approval. Nareesh said the Government’s plans for Villingili can only be delivered smoothly if the council supports them, and warned that obstruction could delay progress.

Describing Villingili as a service hub for the atoll, he said the council must function in a way that improves services and accelerates development for all those who rely on the island. He also claimed some projects elsewhere have been slowed when councils failed to cooperate, including cases where official requests were not brought to council meetings or where land was not allocated for planned facilities.

Nareesh urged voters to back all PNC candidates contesting for the Villingili Council and Women’s Development Committee, saying this would help ensure smoother coordination with the Government and faster delivery of development projects.