Dredging, land reclamation, coastal protection and harbour upgrade works at K. Girifushi were officially inaugurated on Saturday as part of efforts to expand military training facilities in the Maldives.
The project was launched by Defence Minister Hassan Rasheed during a ceremony held at the Girifushi Training Centre.
According to the government, the initiative forms part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s strategic plan to strengthen the capacity of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and enhance the training and readiness of military personnel. It is among the largest projects aimed at expanding training infrastructure for the armed forces.
The first phase of the project will reclaim 13.3 hectares of land, increasing the island’s total area from 5.7 hectares and significantly expanding the space available for training activities.
The development includes the construction of rock revetments to protect the shoreline, as well as outer canals and groynes designed to reduce coastal erosion. An L-block quay wall will also be built to accommodate vessels, while two jetties measuring 40 metres and 12 metres will be developed to improve access and navigation around the island.
In addition, the project will see the construction of a new 300-metre small-arms firing range, replacing the existing 100-metre facility.
The MNDF stated that once the dredging, coastal protection and harbour development works are completed, subsequent phases will focus on establishing a modern and fully equipped training centre on the island.
The facility is expected to become the headquarters of the Maldivian National Service Training Centre, a programme introduced by President Muizzu to provide structured training for young people. The centre will also accommodate training conducted by the Officer Training Wing and the NCO Academy.
Plans for the expanded facility include accommodation blocks and an upgraded harbour system to support students, instructors and training operations.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, Deputy Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Ahmed Ghiyas, and Commander of the MNDF College of Defence and Security Studies Brigadier General Dr Hussain Ibrahim.
