Govt: Fushidhiggaru Project Progressing as Planned

The Maldives government has assured the public that the Fushidhiggaru reclamation project remains on course and will be completed within eight months.

In her inaugural briefing with journalists on Sunday, Heena Walid, the newly appointed Chief Spokesperson of the President’s Office, addressed concerns regarding the progress of the Fushidhiggaru reclamation project. Despite speculations suggesting otherwise, she states that work on the project is ongoing.

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Her statement comes amid swirling speculation on social media and from the political opposition, which alleges that the project has come to a halt. 

Clarifying the project’s status, Waleed acknowledged a temporary pause in sand dredging activities but stressed that this does not mean the entire project has stopped.

“While sand dredging may have momentarily paused, the broader Fushidhiggaru project remains active,” remarked Waleed, adding that various other components, such as administrative tasks, are ongoing.

Waleed assured that the project remains firmly on track and poised to meet President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s deadline.

The Fushidhiggaru project aims to reclaim 1,153 hectares of land – three times the combined area of Hulhumale’s Phase I and II.

Officially launched on December 18, 2023, the project’s reclamation phase is scheduled to be completed within eight months.

While the government remains steadfast in its commitment to infrastructural development, concerns raised by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment, David R. Boyd, underscore the precarious environmental situation facing the Maldives.

While acknowledging the necessity for additional land to accommodate growing urbanization, Boyd cautioned against the adverse ecological consequences of unchecked reclamation efforts.

Meanwhile, reports have revealed that coral bleaching in the Maldives has escalated to its most dangerous level – alert level 1. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) have classified the current bleaching event as the world’s fourth global mass coral bleaching event. 

According to the EIA report for the Fushidhiggaru reclamation project, the Maldives Marine Research Institute (MMRI) warned to pay special attention in April and May and advised against dredging during those months.