President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says political intent is behind drug and gang-related crimes in the country.
He made the statement in his opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the "Viavathi Raajje" conference held on Ukulhas Island in the Alifu Alifu Atoll.
In his remarks, the President also identified drug-related issues, gang crimes, and climate change as imminent challenges facing the country today.
President said that drug-related issues and gang crimes were two branches of the same tree and that these were the most pressing social issues in the country.
He said that these networks are highly organized and that political intent and financial gain hide behind the issues.
President Solih said that it was essential to discuss these issues in depth at the Viavathi Raajje conference, as resolving them would yield faster results in achieving progress.
The two-day conference would feature four sessions with presentations and discussions on various topics, including fiscal and legal autonomy, formulating land-use plans, the role of WDCs, crime prevention, social welfare, and climate resilience.
It would also allow the council and WDC representatives to present their concerns to the President and discuss potential solutions.
