- President reiterates he has no intention of controlling the media, but urges responsibility in actions
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is continuing his official tour of the inhabited islands of Haa Dhaal Atoll, having so far visited 8 of the 13 islands. In his meetings with Island Councils, Atoll Council, Women’s Development Committees (WDCs), and community members, the President has made major development announcements and pledged government support for a wide range of projects designed to improve the lives of local residents.
Below is a detailed summary of the key decisions and announcements made in each island so far:
HDh. Hirimaradhoo
- Permanent housing relocation: All Hirimaradhoo residents relocating to Hanimaadhoo will be provided permanent housing within 18 months.
- Housing scheme: A housing scheme will be implemented on land allocated for Hirimaradhoo residents in Hanimaadhoo, alongside new municipal infrastructure.
- Compensation options: Residents who owned land in Hirimaradhoo but have not built homes will be given a choice between new housing or financial compensation.
- Compensation revision: Financial compensation amounts under the voluntary population consolidation programme will be reviewed and increased.
- Community reassurance: Development projects will continue on Hirimaradhoo until relocation is completed, and proceeds from economic activities on vacated islands will benefit former residents.
HDh. Finey
- Harbour development: The Finey Harbour Project will be completed with revisions based on community input; adjustments to be included in the 2026 budget.
- School relocation: Project to relocate the island’s school for expansion will be budgeted and implemented next year.
- Youth and sports: Pledged to develop youth and sports facilities, including a modern futsal ground.
- Other developments: Announced plans to establish a police station, waste management centre, children’s park, and improvements in the energy sector.
- Council needs acknowledged: Commitments were made to address Council requests, including electricity cable installations, road upgrades, and a new Council Office building.
HDh. Hanimaadhoo
- Airport project: Expedited construction of Hanimaadhoo International Airport to ensure full operations by November.
- Banking access: Bank of Maldives counter and a US dollar ATM will be opened at the airport; BML and MIB rufiyaa ATMs will also be installed.
- Identity services: Hanimaadhoo Council will begin issuing passports and national ID cards before the airport opens.
- Housing project: HDC contracted to construct 500 housing units from next month; mix of concentrated housing and individual plots. Suspended court case housing project will resume after approval.
- Road development: A 17-km road development project will start in 2026 and finish in 2027.
- Education: Agreement signed to build a new school to accommodate local students and those relocated from Hirimaradhoo.
- Security and health: Work begins tomorrow on a new police station, fitness/recreation centre, and a 30-bed hospital. Dialysis services to begin this year; gynecologist and pediatrician to be stationed.
- Other concerns: Reliable water, electricity, sanitation facilities, and soft loans for guesthouses will be addressed.
HDh. Naivaadhoo
- Tourism development: Announced that MTDC will finally begin work on the long-delayed Naagoashi project with government support.
- Tourism expansion: Stated that lagoons in the region have been allocated for tourism with flexible regulations to attract investment.
- Harbour project: Completion pledged in line with resident expectations.
- Healthcare: Health centre will be upgraded to include lab services; ambulance to be provided ahead of schedule.
- Sports and infrastructure: Road development pledged, along with construction of a modern football field.
- Power supply: A new generator will be procured to resolve electricity shortages.
- Agreements signed: Naivaadhoo land reclamation and coastal protection project signed with MTCC.
HDh. Nellaidhoo
- Healthcare: Expansion of the Health Centre into a 24-hour facility.
- Fitness and worship: Groundbreaking ceremonies for a fitness/recreation centre and a new mosque for 500 worshippers (with library and classrooms).
- Shore protection: Second phase of coastal protection works included in next year’s budget.
- Education: Commitment to upgrade school facilities given the island’s strong A-Level track record.
- Housing and infrastructure: Agreements signed for 60 housing units, dinghy platform, and road projects.
- Banking: A new BML ATM inaugurated.
- Sports: Completion of the sports arena pledged.
- Community priorities acknowledged: Urgent need to address beach erosion and power shortages noted.
HDh. Nolhivaran
- Agriculture: Called on Council to waive fees on agricultural plots, recognizing farming as the main livelihood.
- Healthcare: A 30-bed hospital to be developed this year; meanwhile, more resources for the health centre and new dental/X-ray facilities.
- Energy: Powerhouse to be relocated; electricity supply for agricultural plots assured.
- Sports: Indoor sports complex to be built; Nolhivaran football ground to be upgraded to FIFA standards.
- Education: Multi-purpose hall project to incorporate further infrastructure elements.
- Agreements signed: Agriculture supply shop, harbour expansion, coastal protection, and road development projects.
HDh. Nolhivaranfaru
- Freedom of media: President assured residents he has no intention of controlling the media, reiterating that it must remain independent. He urged all parties, including political groups and the media, to act responsibly.
- Healthcare and infrastructure: Agreements signed for Health Centre Extension Project, Multipurpose Hall and School Development, Harbour Expansion, Football Stadium, and Sports Complex.
- Tourism land returned: Land previously allocated for tourism was formally returned to the Island Council.
- Housing: 100 newly developed housing units officially handed over to the Council.
- Waste management: WAMCO will begin waste operations on the island within five months.
- Other priorities: Council requested shoreline protection as part of harbour works, faster road projects, a sea ambulance, and development of a lagoon sandbank as a picnic island.
- Reassurance: President emphasized that Nolhivaranfaru is “turning a new leaf” in development, with projects to be monitored for timely completion.
HDh. Makunudhoo
- Airport project: President pledged to expedite completion of Makunudhoo Airport.
- Power supply: Addressing urgent power crisis at the powerhouse.
- Sports: Swift completion of handball court pledged.
- Governance: A new Council office building to be constructed to replace the undersized Secretariat.
- Housing: Social housing units will be provided to meet local needs.
The tour continues
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu began his four-day tour of Haa Dhaal Atoll on Sunday. He is scheduled to visit all 13 inhabited islands: Hirimaradhoo, Finey, Hanimaadhoo, Naivaadhoo, Nellaidhoo, Nolhivaran, Nolhivaranfaru, Makunudhoo, Vaikaradhoo, Neykurendhoo, Kurin’bi, Kumundhoo, and Kulhudhuffushi City.
The President is accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and senior officials from key government institutions. This tour is part of his broader initiative to directly engage with communities across every atoll of the Maldives, ensuring that local councils and residents play an active role in shaping the nation’s development agenda.
