Muizzu Assures Harbor Breakwater and Land Reclamation Projects in Ban’didhoo Will Start Next Year 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu pledges to begin the harbour breakwater project and land reclamation of Dhaalu Atoll Ban’didhoo will start next year.

During his visit to Ban’didhoo yesterday, President Muizzu assured residents that planned projects would commence no later than next year. The President is currently on a three-day tour of Dhaalu Atoll and is expected to return to Male’ today.

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While addressing concerns, he explained that the start of these projects may be delayed this year due to the absence of funds in the current state budget. However, he reassured residents that funds had already been allocated for other projects.

“If the budget cannot be allocated for this project this year, as the budget has already been allocated for projects this year, we will allocate funds for it next year and start the project,” he said in Dhivehi.

Before meeting with the community, the President consulted with the island’s senior citizens and members of the Island Council and Women’s Development Council (WDC). Among the primary issues raised by residents were space constraints and the urgent need to expand both the school and hospital facilities.

In response, President Muizzu suggested that the Island Council revisit the land use plan to address concerns such as the allocation of separate areas for industrial activities, including fibre work and waste management. He emphasised the importance of keeping these activities away from residential areas due to the health hazards associated with fibre work and the unpleasant odour generated by waste management processes. 

“The senior citizens have reported that the bad smells affect them when they are in the mosque,” he said.

The President also promised that any halted or paused projects on the island would resume by next month. During the visit, he inaugurated a new local ice plant and a Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM on the island.

Land Reclamation Project Promised to Maaen’boodhoo Residents

In his address to residents of Maaen’boodhoo, also in Dhaalu Atoll, the President confirmed that the planned land reclamation project would proceed as scheduled. He explained that once the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the island is completed, the 30-hectare land reclamation project would move forward. Notably, two hectares of land would be reclaimed separately from the main island, in response to the requests of the local community, according to the President’s Office.

During his meeting with the Maaen’boodhoo Island Council and WDC members, the pressing issue of waste management was also raised, alongside concerns about completing ongoing projects without further delays.