President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the 30-bed health centre currently under construction in Thoddoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll will be developed into a hospital.
Addressing residents of Thoddoo, during his visit on Tuesday as part of his ongoing tour of the Atoll, the President noted that specialists from the Ministry of Health had confirmed the feasibility of incorporating an operating theatre and an intensive care unit, enabling the facility to be upgraded to hospital status.
During the President’s visit, the contract for the development of Thoddoo School’s infrastructure was signed, alongside the agreement for the construction of the island’s southern jetty. Additionally, the official launch of the Thoddoo sewerage system was also announced. The President assured the residents that these projects would be implemented with urgency and given the utmost priority.
He further confirmed that all necessary preparations have been completed to commence the island’s road development project, which would be carried out without delay.
"The people have decided to pave the roads which I also very much prefer. The practical work of the project is starting. It will also bring progress to the development of Thoddu. It will move forward at a fast pace,” he said.
In addition, lighting installations for the football stadium, the fitness and recreation centre, and the outdoor gym are scheduled to be completed within the year.
Underscoring Thoddoo’s role as a leading agricultural island, the President announced that work on establishing The Maldives National University’s Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science on the island would begin soon.
“It won’t take long to get this project off the ground,” he said.
Recognising the island’s prominence in both agriculture and tourism, the President also revealed that scheduled seaplane services to Thoddoo will begin in February next year, supported by the construction of a dedicated seaplane platform.
New Secretariat Building to Replace Rundown Infrastructure
The President during his visit witnessed the groundbreaking of the new island council secretariat building.
The Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, officially broke ground on the project awarded to renowned local construction firm, Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC).
The Administration has set a target to complete secretariat buildings on 105 islands during its current tenure.
RCC has been conferred the contract to construct 55 council buildings across the country’s dispersed atolls. The project, valued at USD 40.94 million, will proceed under a contractor-financed model. The reassignment follows the rescission of a prior agreement with Malaysian firm Hexter Global, which withdrew from the undertaking after refusing to implement design changes proposed by individual island councils.
RCC is expected to commence practical work in September with a completion target of approximately 11 months, underscoring the administration’s urgency in delivering essential infrastructure. Each site will include boundary walls and be furnished with office equipment upon finalisation, according to project specifications.
This endeavour seeks to replace ageing and inadequate facilities, addressing long-standing space constraints that have hindered the efficiency of local governance. Once complete, the initiative is expected to fulfil 70 percent of the administration’s goal to enhance administrative capabilities of local councils across the country.
Plans for an additional 50 council buildings are also underway, supported by a grant from the Chinese government. That arrangement was formalised in May through the signing of a Letter of Exchange between the two governments, and is expected to complement the RCC-led effort.
National Law Enforcement Plan Extends to Thoddoo
The government-led drive to strengthen law enforcement infrastructure throughout the Maldives extended to Thoddoo to coincide with the President’s visit.
The ground breaking on Thoddoo’s new police station was officiated by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, with dignitaries including Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen, Road Development Corporation (RDC) Managing Director Ibrahim Nazeem, and the President of Thoddoo Council in attendance.
The project, undertaken by RDC, aligns with the administration’s policy to establish police stations on all inhabited islands within two years. Work has already begun on similar facilities nationwide, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance law enforcement services across the country.
New Banking Services to Boost Tourism in Thoddoo
The vibrant local tourism in Thoddoo received a further boost as President Dr Muizzu during the visit, inaugurated a Bank of Maldives (BML) USD ATM service in Thoddoo.
The pledge for an USD ATM was made by President Dr Muizzu during his last visit to Thoddoo in December last year.
In addition, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new BML branch on the island attended by President Dr Muizzu, Ministers, BML Chairperson Ahmed Ali Habeeb, CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Shareef, Board Directors and senior officials.
Speaking during the ceremony, Shareef expressed delight to expand its services in Thoddoo to support the island’s thriving local tourism industry and its unique agritourism sector.
“We launched our ATM services in Thoddoo five years ago and today, with the new USD ATM, businesses and residents alike can now enjoy convenient access to USD, without having to travel to another island,” he said.
The new branch, according to Shareef, is expected to be completed next year, and will bring BML’s full suite of banking services even closer to the community.
With the new ATM in Thoddoo, BML now provides USD ATM services in Male’ City, Kulhudhuffushi City, Addu City, Velana International Airport (VIA) and Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll.
Essential Service Provision
The President along with the Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib inaugurated the essential service provision during a ceremony held at the island.
The sewerage project in Thoddoo is part of the Exim Bank of India line of credit for the installation of water and sewerage systems in 34 islands, awarded by the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure to Kalpathar Projects International Ltd.
The project worth USD 1.9 million included the installation of a sewage pump station, sewage pipes throughout the island, construction of sea out falls and placement of catchpits in households and other structures to connect them to the sewerage system.
MTCC to Develop Thoddoo’s Southern Jetty
The President, during his visit, witnessed the signing of the contract to develop the southern jetty of Thoddoo.
The contract was signed by Minister Dr Muththalib on behalf of the government and Managing Director DCP (Retd) Ahmed Saudee signed for MTCC.
The jetty development project worth around USD 3.4 million will see MTCC construct a 430 meter long and six meter wide jetty on the southern side of Thoddoo which also includes dredging and 70 meters of geobag rivetment.
President Graces “Thoddoo Masters Table Tennis Tournament” Opening
President Dr Muizzu also attended the “Thoddoo Masters Table Tennis Tournament” opening ceremony during his visit to Thoddoo.
The ceremony featured a special cultural performance by students of Thoddoo School. Commemorative plaques were presented to various parties in recognition of their contributions to the organisation of the tournament, while a special token of appreciation was awarded to Ambassador Ahmed Latheef.
President Dr Muizzu officially inaugurated the “Thoddoo Masters Table Tennis Tournament”, commemorating the first time such an international tournament has been held in Thoddoo. The tournament will feature distinguished players with titles at national, regional, and international levels.
President Discusses Development Priorities with Community Leaders
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu met with the Thoddoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions today to discuss the island’s most pressing development priorities.
Council members engaged with the President, highlighting the importance of commencing seaplane services with a dedicated terminal, as well as upgrading the health centre to a hospital to cater to changing population dynamics and the growth of local tourism.
School staff raised concerns over the lack of space and the absence of a functional science laboratory. The school administration also expressed appreciation to the President for his nationwide initiative to ban vaping.
President Dr Muizzu assured the Council that the Government would pursue practical solutions to the issues raised. He also shared updates on ongoing development projects, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and senior officials from State-Owned Enterprises.
Warm Welcome from Thoddoo
Thoddoo Himandhoo marked the sixth stop in a wider presidential tour of Alifu Alifu Atoll.
President Muizzu received a warm welcome upon arrival, with senior officials from the local council, government institutions, and residents extending a cordial reception.
As part of the three-day tour which began on Tuesday, the President is scheduled to visit eight islands: Thoddoo, Rasdhoo, Ukulhas, Mathiveri, Bodufolhudhoo, Feridhoo, Maalhos, and Himandhoo.