President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has officially designated Hulhimendhoo as part of Maamendhoo, located in Gaafu Alifu Atoll.
This decision was formalised through amendments announced via a Presidential Decree issued on Saturday. These amendments were made under the Decentralisation Act, which grants the President the authority to designate areas for both City and Island Councils.
The newly formed chart of Maamendhoo Island has now been codified and published in the Government Gazette.
Hulhimendhoo is an uninhabited island of approximately 5 hectares, which lies within the same lagoon as Maamendhoo. The island was previously included in the jurisdiction of the Maamendhoo Council, but was later removed by the former administration, and allocated for tourism development purposes. However, the project did not progress, and the island remains unused. Maamendhoo Council sought to reclaim Hulhimendhoo as a resource that can be used to generate income for the council.
In January, President Muizzu met with the Maamendhoo Island Council, Womens Development Committee members and island residents to share his policies for the island’s development. He assured that the island will be given priority in the government's development policy without any discrimination. Acknowledging long-standing issues that face the island, the President said the issues remained unresolved in the past due to the inaction of past governments, and assured that the current administration would effectively resolve all issues faced by the people.