Incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Thursday hailed the opening of the the landmark over-water bridge linking the capital to the reclaimed suburb and the airport island as the dawn of a new era for the archipelago.
"Tonight we celebrate the dawn of a new era for Maldivians. The dawn where Maldivians see their future unfolding into an age of progress and tranquility," president Yameen hailed after inaugurating the bridge attended by thousands during a colorful ceremony held at the eastern edge of the capital Male.
"The dawn where dreams can finally become reality, hopes prosper and life more tenable."
The president said when he took office in 2013 the priorities were to enable the government to deliver the conveniences of modern-day living and to equip the people with tools to build better lives for themselves.
"I ran for office having pledged that my people will prioritise youth as a young population group. Amongst them are the brilliant minds and forerunners of tomorrow," he explained.
"My resolve was to fit-in the most crucial but missing piece of development strategy of Maldives."
President Yameen noted that Hulhumale with a reclaimed land of 432 hectares was being developed into a modern city to host 240,000 people.
"Thousands of people crossing 1 km of water everyday several times kept us hoping, dreaming, and dreaming big. Yet it was thought to be beyond the economic and engineering resources available to the Maldives," president Yameen highlighted the difficulty in taking the ferry to the airport and Hulhumale.
"With this resolution, when I met President Xi Jinping in 2014, I made a request on behalf of the Maldivian people. It was a triumphant moment indeed."
President said a mere three years and 11 months later, the country remain elated to inaugurate the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, SinaMalé Bridge.
"As we inaugurate the SinaMalé Bridge our hearts are filled with joy and excitement as we eagerly wait to cross the bridge of hope into the lands of tomorrow," president exclaimed.
"The bridge that enables eager young men and women to crossover to the Youth City,. The city of hope, a new "Madinah" for our youth. "
An undeniable engineering marvel, the significance of the monumental project boasting the potential to unlock the country’s economy and become the emphatic answer to mounting social issues sparked by centralization on a massive scale.
The bridge dubbed China-Maldives Friendship bridge before being renamed to Sinamale bridge was financed with USD126 million in grant aid and a concessionary loan from China along with USD12.6 million from the state budget.
The over water bridge will stretch out to 1.39 kilometers in length and 20 meters in width.
Government has planned a week long celebration before opening the bridge to the public on September 7.
