President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured that all bases of the developmental projects announced for Nellaidhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll have been covered to avoid any delays in implementation.
Addressing residents of Nellaidhoo during his visit to the island as part of his ongoing tour of Haa Dhaalu Atoll, President Dr Muizzu pledged to add to the nine ongoing projects in the island next year.
Three key development projects were launched in Nellaidhoo, including the expansion and upgrade of the health centre. The President said the Government aims to increase resources and staffing this year and next to ensure the centre can provide round-the-clock services.
During the President’s visit, groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the construction of a fitness and recreation centre and a new mosque with capacity for 500 worshippers.
He added that the fitness and recreation centre, scheduled for completion this year, will support indoor sports and allow evening football matches. The President also highlighted that the mosque will be a modern and spacious building, complete with a library and classrooms.
The President further assured residents that a second phase of shore protection works will be included in next year’s budget, noting that this initiative would provide a sustainable solution to erosion.
Turning to education, he pledged further development of the island’s school, with improved facilities to support students, noting the school’s strong track record in A-Level examinations.
As part of today’s ceremonies, agreements were signed for the development of 60 housing units, along with the construction of a dinghy platform and road development projects. In addition, a Bank of Maldives ATM was officially inaugurated.
President Dr Muizzu assured that all bases of these projects have been covered to ensure continuity and swift implementation.
Responding to criticism over the ongoing initiative to install ATMs in all inhabited islands, the President insisted that his administration’s aim is to ensure equitable services and development for all.
The ATM initiative, he stressed, had saved time and money to travel to neighbouring islands to seek basic banking services.
Major Healthcare Upgrade
President Dr Muizzu during his visit, witnessed the groundbreaking of Nellaidhoo’s health centre expansion project.
The initiative is part of an infrastructure upgrade for the island’s health centre to expand its healthcare services.
The Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim and CEO of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Limited (MTCC) Ahmed Saudee officially broke ground on the project during a ceremony held to coincide with the President’s visit.
The Ministry of Health has awarded the contract to MTCC for around USD 713,000 with a project deadline of 15 months.
The three-storey new building will house a 10-bed ward, laboratory, public health unit and other essential services.
The government aims to strengthen the healthcare system in the Atolls and eliminate the need to travel to Male’ or abroad for medical treatment. In order to achieve this objective, many hospitals and health centres across the Maldives are undergoing various stages of development and upgrades.
President Pledges More Football Infrastructure
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu offered assurances to the youth of Nellaidhoo that the government will revamp the ongoing football ground project and ensure swift completion.
Highlighting the football talent in the island, the President acknowledged that the ongoing football ground project requires revisions, pledging to revamp the project to include boundary fencing and lighting to allow evening matches.
He assured that despite the revisions, the project will be implemented swiftly without delay.
The President also promised to develop a brand new futsal and handball ground in Nellaidhoo which he said will get off the ground as early as next year.
ATM Service Reaches Nellaidhoo
To coincide with President Dr Muizzu’s visit, Bank of Maldives (BML) inaugurated self-service banking ATM services in Nellaidhoo.
During the week, BML will also be launching ATM services in additional islands in Haa Dhaal atoll to achieve ATM network coverage on all inhabited islands in the atoll.
The ATM service in Nellaidhoo was officially inaugurated by President Dr Muizzu during a small ceremony.
The programme, launched under the directive of President Dr Muizzu, is designed to ensure that all residents, regardless of island population, have access to essential banking services.
The expansion is intended to eliminate longstanding barriers faced by island communities, many of whom previously incurred significant costs and travel burdens to access basic banking services. With the new infrastructure in place, residents are now able to conduct transactions such as withdrawals, deposits and transfers directly from their home islands.
Key Projects Plug Transportation Infrastructure Shortages
The President during the visit also witnessed the signing of the contracts for road development and construction of a dinghy platform in Nellaidhoo.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib on behalf of the government while Managing Director Ahmed Saudee signed on behalf of MTCC.
The scope of the road development project worth USD 3.8 million includes the development of a 3,086 meter long road with a 15,265 meter jogging area, a 3,406 meter walking area and a drainage system to be completed in 720 days.
The dinghy platform project meanwhile, includes the construction of a 1.5 meter wide jetty at the Nellaidhoo harbour. The project has been awarded to MTCC for USD 450,000 with a 180 day project deadline.
New Mosque Project Kicksoff
The project to build a brand new mosque in Nellaidhoo was officially kicked-off by the Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed during a ceremony attended by President Dr Muizzu.
The scope of the brand new mosque project designed to accommodate 500 worshipers includes installation of solar panels and air conditioning along with a fully equipped library and a classroom, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs said.
Housing Solution for Nellaidhoo
The President, during the visit also witnessed the signing of the contract to develop 60 housing units to address the housing shortage in Nellaidhoo.
The agreement to award the project to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) was signed by Minister Dr Muththalib and the state-owned firm’s Managing Director Brigadier General (Retired) Ali Zuhair.
Under this project worth over USD 6.5 million, HDC is tasked with developing 60 housing units of 3 bedroom apartments with the project deadline set for 300 days.
President Meets Community Leaders
President Dr Muizzu took time to meet with the Nellaidhoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions during his visit, to discuss the island’s key development priorities.
Council members raised several urgent concerns, including the need to mitigate severe beach erosion affecting parts of the island. They also stressed the importance of completing the island’s sports arena with all required facilities and requested an additional generator to help ease ongoing power shortages.
The President assured the Council that the Government would give due attention to their concerns and work towards practical solutions. He also shared updates on ongoing development initiatives. The President was joined at the meeting by Cabinet Ministers and senior officials from State-Owned Enterprises.
Nellaidhoo Unites to Welcome the President
Almost the entire resident population of Nellaidhoo flocked to the harbour to welcome President Dr Muizzu on his arrival to the island.
Nellaidhoo is the fifth stop of his four-day tour of 13 inhabited islands of Haa Dhaalu Atoll.
The President is accompanied on this trip by Cabinet Ministers and senior officials from key Government institutions.
This visit is of the President’s initiative to tour all Maldivian atolls and engage directly with councils at the island, atoll, and city levels.