Ground has been broken for two pivotal development projects on Innamaadhoo Island: a new building for the Secretariat of Innamaadhoo Island Council and a new police station. These initiatives were marked by groundbreaking ceremonies held during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's visit to the island.
President Dr Muizzu visited Innamaadhoo as part of a comprehensive three-day tour of several islands in the Raa Atoll. During his visit, he officially inaugurated the island's newly developed volleyball court and inspected the accompanying sports facility.
The foundation stone for the new police station was laid during a ceremonial event officiated by the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, and the Commissioner of Police, Ali Shujau. Both officials are accompanying President Dr Muizzu on his tour.
Similarly, the foundation stone for the new Secretariat of Innamaadhoo Island Council was laid by the Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar. The existing Secretariat has been facing significant space constraints, an issue President Dr Muizzu has committed to resolving.
In a significant move to alleviate space constraints for local island councils, the administration recently awarded a contract to Malaysia-based Hextar Global Sdn. Bhd. The project entails the construction of 55 new council buildings, including the Secretariat on Innamaadhoo. Awarded under a contractor-finance model, the contract specifies a 30-month completion period for all the islands.
Continuing efforts to address these challenges, the administration also unveiled plans to develop council office buildings on 50 additional islands, with assistance from the Chinese government. These initiatives aim to resolve the challenges of building and space constraints before the end of the current administration's tenure.
Minister Ihusaan earlier announced the administration's plan to establish police stations on all inhabited islands within the next two years. Currently, 46 islands lack such facilities. The administration is dedicated to addressing this gap and aims to build new police stations and expand policing services to these islands by the end of 2026, according to the minister.