Two Political Directors Appointed to ‘Uninhabited’ Hirimaradhoo Amid Planned Resettlement

The government has appointed two Political Directors to HDh. Hirimaradhoo, an island designated for resettlement, with each appointee set to receive a monthly salary and allowance totalling MVR 20,000.

Hanimaadhoo Council confirmed to MV+  that Aishath Juvairiya and Juvairiya Usman have been appointed as Political Directors at the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness. Both are members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) from Hirimaradhoo.

MV+  has obtained copies of their appointment letters, which state that each Political Director will receive a monthly base salary of MVR 11,000 and a living allowance of MVR 9,000. Juvairiya Usman was appointed on 27 August, while Aishath Juvairiya was appointed on 6 September.

On 30 December 2025, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu issued an official presidential decree formally declaring Hirimaradhoo an uninhabited island, ordering the complete resettlement of its residents to Hanimaadhoo and transferring Hirimaradhoo’s administrative jurisdiction directly to the Hanimaadhoo Council. 

Due to Hirimaradhoo being designated as an uninhabited island, no council was elected for the island in the local council elections held in April this year.

The appointments come as the government continues preparations to relocate Hirimaradhoo residents to nearby Hanimaadhoo under its population consolidation policy. The relocation programme includes the construction of a house in Hanimaadhoo for each Hirimaradhoo household, together with financial compensation. The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) was contracted to implement the project. President Muizzu said on 24 August 2025 that construction of housing in Hanimaadhoo to facilitate the relocation would be completed within 18 months. 

However, residents have raised concerns over the progress of the project, with some saying physical construction has yet to begin on the land allocated to them in Hanimaadhoo. Although Hirimaradhoo no longer has a local council following the decree, residents continue to live on the island.

Hanimaadhoo Council President Ali Ibrahim has previously said the government has not allocated the full budget required to provide necessary services to Hirimaradhoo residents during the relocation process. He has also highlighted administrative and operational challenges arising from the continued provision of services to the island.

Hirimaradhoo has a registered population of 589, although approximately 200 people currently reside on the island. The appointment of the two Political Directors comes as the government’s resettlement programme remains in progress, with questions continuing over the timeline for housing construction and the arrangements required to complete the relocation of Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo.