President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has unequivocally addressed allegations that his administration is making pledges and promises regarding developmental initiatives without proper planning or a coherent developmental agenda. In a recent address to the residential community of Muraidhoo, Haa Alifu Atoll, President Dr Muizzu categorically denied these allegations, stressing that every pledge made by his administration has been the result of meticulous planning.
The president assured the community that each commitment is made only after careful consideration to ensure its fulfilment and after identifying a clear path forward for its implementation. The administration has systematically planned every initiative, he asserted.
President Dr Muizzu is on a three-day tour of several islands in the Haa Alifu Atoll, addressing residents in Muraidhoo with assurances of rapid developmental progress. In his address, President Muizzu highlighted the administration's commitment to the island's growth, underscoring that his visit aimed to both gauge the well-being of the community and confirm the acceleration of upcoming projects.
Responding to allegations of unplanned developmental promises, President Dr Muizzu clarified that the administration's inability to fulfil developmental projects in 2024 stemmed from its prioritisation of economic improvement and budget constraints. He cited suspended infrastructure initiatives on the islands, attributing the delays to financial limitations. Nevertheless, President Muizzu assured residents that these challenges had been resolved and that the administration had identified ways to advance the projects.
"Looking ahead, you will witness the initiation of projects funded through the recently passed budget. This includes both the resumption of suspended projects and the commencement of new ones. Over the course of this year and the next, you will observe the advancement of these two categories of projects," stated President Dr Muizzu.
President Dr Muizzu stated that the administration had structured the progression of developmental projects based on the priorities outlined by residents, aligning them with both medium-term and long-term plans. He highlighted the specific needs of the Muraidhoo community, emphasising the challenges associated with the use of the island’s harbour.
The administration has committed to addressing harbour-related concerns by consulting with the local island council to align with the preferences of the residential community. President Dr Muizzu assured that his administration would find a permanent solution to these issues. Following this, the administration will initiate a project to construct roads in Muraidhoo. Additionally, efforts will be made to tackle challenges facing the island's healthcare sector, he assured.
In his address, President Dr Muizzu also detailed the administration's comprehensive plans to enhance human resources development and capacity building across all islands. He underscored initiatives for the construction of classrooms, laboratories, and multipurpose halls in schools throughout the country. President Muizzu assured that Muraidhoo School would receive the necessary development and resources. Additionally, he pledged to develop sports facilities on the island, including a football ground, a volleyball court, and other sporting amenities.
Strategic Discussions with Muraidhoo Leaders on Developmental Initiatives
During his visit to Muraidhoo, President Dr Muizzu met with members of the local island council, the Women's Development Committee (WDC), and heads of government and state institutions. The discussions focused on the pressing needs and developmental aspirations of the residential community.
During the meeting, members of the island council and the WDC voiced their concerns and outlined the community's immediate needs. Key issues discussed included coastal erosion, harbour-related challenges—particularly the outer seawall and channel—and the need for improvements in the island's healthcare and education sectors. The representatives also highlighted the necessity for road construction, upgrades to electricity services, and the establishment of a futsal ground to address the community's challenges.
During the visit, cabinet ministers accompanying President Dr Muizzu provided updates on the administration's developmental plans for the island, detailing the strategic initiatives currently underway. President Dr Muizzu directed his ministers to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and the local island council to formulate a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the challenges facing the island's school and healthcare centre.
New Police Station Project Launched in Muraidhoo
As part of President Dr Muizzu's visit to the island, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the commencement of the project to construct a new police station on Muraidhoo. This initiative is a significant milestone in the administration's ongoing efforts to bolster policing services across the Maldives. Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, who accompanied President Dr Muizzu on his visit, ceremonially laid the foundation stone of the new police building.
During President Dr Muizzu's recent visit to Raa Atoll, similar projects were inaugurated on two other islands, Maakurathu and Innamaadhoo, where new police stations are set to be developed. The president toured several islands of Raa Atoll from 21 to 23 January. The projects to develop new police stations reflect a broader strategy aimed at strengthening the presence and capabilities of law enforcement agencies in inhabited islands.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Muraidhoo Council Secretariat Building
A ceremonial foundation stone laying ceremony was held in Muraidhoo to initiate the development of a new building for the Secretariat of the Muraidhoo Island Council. This project was launched as part of President Dr Muizzu's visit to the island, underscoring the administration's commitment to enhancing local governance structures.
The foundation stone of the new Council Secretariat building was laid by Adam Shareef Umar, Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works. This event signifies the administration's pledge to address space constraints faced by local council secretariats and to provide them with much-needed new facilities.
President Dr Muizzu's administration has recently initiated a broader initiative to construct local council secretariat buildings on 55 islands across the country. The project has been awarded to the Malaysia-based Hextar Global Sdn. Bhd. under a contractor-finance model, with the aim of alleviating space constraints and enhancing the operational efficiency of local island councils.
According to the government, the contract stipulates a 30-month completion timeline for all islands encompassed in the project. The development of the new building for the Secretariat of the Muraidhoo Island Council forms part of this 55-island project.
In addition, the administration plans to develop new buildings for local councils on an additional 50 islands, with assistance from the Chinese government. This broader initiative aims to construct new council secretariat buildings on a total of 105 islands. Upon completion, the administration believes that these new facilities will resolve space constraint issues faced by local councils on 70% of the islands.
Agreement Formalised for New ATM Installation in Muraidhoo
During President Dr Muizzu's visit to Muraidhoo, a ceremony was conducted to formalise the agreement to install an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) on the island. President Dr Muizzu was in attendance at this significant event.
The agreement was formalised between the Bank of Maldives (BML) and the Muraidhoo Island Council. Representing the Bank of Maldives, the agreement was signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mohamed Shareef. Ali Sinan, President of the Muraidhoo Island Council, signed the agreement on behalf of the island council.
This initiative is part of President Dr Muizzu’s broader strategy, launched in November 2024, to establish ATMs on all inhabited islands. The initiative is aimed at strengthening financial empowerment among the populace. The administration has set a target to introduce ATM services on all inhabited islands by the end of 2025.
At present, the Bank of Maldives operates over 150 ATMs across 90 islands, with plans to extend this service to an additional 17 islands by March of this year.
President Commences Island Tour with Muraidhoo Visit
President Dr Muizzu received a warm welcome upon his arrival in Muraidhoo on Tuesday morning, marking the first stop in his visit to several islands in the Haa Alifu Atoll. During his three-day visit to the Haa Alifu Atoll, President Dr Muizzu will hold meetings with local island councils, Women's Development Committees (WDCs), heads of state and government institutions, and residential communities. The President is also set to initiate infrastructure development projects on some of the islands during this visit.
In addition to Muraidhoo, President Dr Muizzu's itinerary includes stops in Dhihdhoo, Filladhoo, Hoarafushi, Ihavandhoo, Maarandhoo, Molhadhoo, Thakandhoo, Uligamu, and Utheemu. This tour is part of the President's 2024 pledge to engage with local councils across the atolls, islands, and cities. Accompanying the President on this tour are cabinet ministers and senior government officials, underscoring the administration's commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of the island communities.