Minister Assures Maafushi Harbour Project Will Follow Community Requests

The Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib, has assured that the ongoing harbour development project in Maafushi will proceed in line with the requests of the island’s community, particularly concerning the restructuring of the outer breakwater. 

The assurance comes as the government addresses one of the most significant infrastructure challenges facing the Maldives’ largest local tourism destination, where increasing visitor numbers have placed considerable pressure on existing facilities.

Maafushi’s current harbour has struggled to accommodate the growing volume of dinghies, diving boats and speedboats that are vital to the island’s tourism-driven economy. In response, the harbour is undergoing a major redevelopment aimed at expanding capacity and improving operational efficiency. The project has been awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company for approximately USD 5 million. It includes the construction of a modern 374-metre harbour, integrating the existing structure with a substantial extension.

Although progress on the project has been visible, residents have expressed concerns regarding potential alterations to the island’s outer breakwater during construction. Addressing these concerns, Dr Muththalib confirmed that the Ministry’s bid committee has decided to complete the project in accordance with the community’s requests. The ministry is working in coordination with the island council to ensure that the redevelopment supports sustainable growth and safeguards the needs of residents.

The harbour expansion is expected to strengthen Maafushi’s capacity to manage increasing marine traffic and sustain its position as a leading local tourism destination in the Maldives.