President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has designated the construction of an airport on the remote island of Makunudhoo as a principal priority of his administration, pledging its swift completion alongside a suite of infrastructure and public service initiatives aimed at transforming the island’s connectivity, economic trajectory, and living standards.
During a recent visit to Makunudhoo, where he was received with notable warmth, President Muizzu underscored the strategic importance of the airport project, citing the island’s geographic isolation and the logistical challenges faced by its residents. He described the facility as essential not only for improving access but also for enabling sustainable long-term development.
The proposed airport will feature an 1,800-metre runway, supported by extensive land reclamation. “A total of 22 hectares will be reclaimed for the island's general requirements, with further land reclamation designated specifically for the airport's infrastructure. This critical undertaking will proceed with a high degree of priority,” the president stated.
Operational responsibilities of the airport will be assigned to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which will collaborate with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) and relevant government ministries. “My utmost emphasis is placed on ensuring the swift completion of this project,” President Muizzu affirmed, assuring residents of his administration’s commitment to rapid and effective execution.
President unveils broad infrastructure plan during Makunudhoo visit
In tandem with the airport initiative, President Muizzu officiated the launch of several infrastructure projects during his visit. These included the introduction of passport issuance services, the awarding of contracts for land reclamation and coastal protection, and the formal commencement of road modernisation works.
The development agenda also encompassed the construction of a new health centre, a fitness and recreation facility, and a police station. The president announced that the health centre would be established as a Level 4 facility, equipped with expanded capacity and advanced medical services, including X-ray, scanning, and dialysis. He pledged to deploy specialist doctors to the centre and indicated that interim upgrades to existing facilities would be pursued within the current budget, where feasible.
Educational infrastructure was also addressed. President Muizzu reported that the multipurpose hall at Makunudhoo School is expected to be completed within six weeks, a milestone he believes will contribute meaningfully to academic advancement. On housing, he confirmed that a dedicated project would be launched following the completion of land reclamation, with funding allocated in the forthcoming national budget.
To reinforce the island’s economic base, the president announced that the existing ice plant would be transferred to the Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), the state-owned fisheries enterprise, to ensure full operational capacity. President Muizzu concluded his remarks by stating that his next visit to Makunudhoo would be to commemorate the completion of the airport and other transformative projects currently underway.
Airport development agreement signed during presidential tour
The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded a major infrastructure contract comprising land reclamation, coastal protection, and airport development in Makunudhoo. The agreement was formalised during President Muizzu’s visit to the island, with the State Minister for Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Hassan Rasheed signing on behalf of the government, and MTCC Managing Director Ahmed Saudee representing the company.
Under the terms of the project, 22 hectares of land will be reclaimed for island use, accompanied by the construction of a 1,800-metre runway forming part of the new airport. The development encompasses all critical infrastructure, from foundational land works to the establishment of operational facilities. Upon completion, oversight of the airport will be transferred to Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL), tasked with ensuring professional and efficient service delivery.
Addressing the significance of the initiative, Makunudhoo lawmaker Adam Shafeeq pointed to the island’s longstanding deficit in transport infrastructure. He described the airport as a transformative step, noting that the government’s commitment fulfils a deeply held aspiration among residents and signals a new chapter in accessibility and economic opportunity.
Council members urge action on electricity, housing and sports facilities
The visit also included consultations with members of the Makunudhoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and representatives of local institutions. Council members raised several pressing concerns, including the need for accelerated completion of the airport and other foundational projects initiated during the presidential tour.
Additional requests focused on resolving electricity supply issues linked to the powerhouse, expediting the construction of the handball court, and establishing social housing units. The council members further highlighted the need for a new administrative building to address space constraints at its current premises.
President Muizzu pledged to review the matters raised and provided updates on ongoing projects through accompanying ministers and senior officials from state-owned enterprises.
Health centre construction begins with expanded medical services planned
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new health centre was held during the president’s tour of Haa Dhaalu Atoll, led by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim. The initiative marks a pivotal step in strengthening healthcare services on the island.
President Muizzu reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing the facility as a Level 4 centre, with enhanced capacity and a comprehensive range of medical services. Plans include the deployment of specialist doctors and the provision of X-ray, scanning, and dialysis capabilities. The project, awarded to Fenaka Corporation, carries a completion timeline of 900 days and an estimated cost of USD 6.72 million.
Police station project launched as part of national security expansion
A formal ceremony was held to inaugurate the construction of a new police station in Makunudhoo, with the foundation stone laid by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan. He was joined by Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen, Fenaka Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Najaah, and the President of the Makunudhoo Council.
The initiative forms part of a national strategy to establish police stations and Maldives Police Service (MPS) operations on every inhabited island within two years. The government anticipates that this expansion will significantly enhance public safety across the country.
Road development contract signed during presidential visit
The presidential visit also saw the signing of a contract to modernise Makunudhoo’s road network. The agreement, formalised during the president's meeting with the residential community, entrusts the project to the Road Development Corporation (RDC).
The signing was attended by State Minister Hassan Rasheed of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, and RDC Managing Director Ibrahim Nazeem. In his address to the residents, President Muizzu underscored the importance of road development as a foundational public service, noting its alignment with national efforts to upgrade infrastructure to contemporary standards, including the integration of drainage systems.
Aerobics, indoor sports, and instructional spaces planned for new hub
The president's visit also featured the commencement of construction of a fitness and recreation centre in Makunudhoo, advancing President Muizzu’s pledge to strengthen recreational infrastructure across the country. The foundation stone was laid during a formal ceremony attended by Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Makunudhoo Member of Parliament Adam Shafeeq, and Council President Auzam Adam.
The facility will support a range of recreational activities, including indoor sports and board games, and will feature a dedicated aerobics studio accessible to both male and female users. Plans also include a classroom for theory-based sports instruction, a meeting room, and an administrative office to manage daily operations. Completion is scheduled by the end of next year.
Makunudhoo’s development is part of a broader presidential initiative to establish fitness and recreation centres across the Maldives. Responsibility for implementation has been allocated to key state-owned enterprises, among them Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Fenaka Corporation, Road Development Corporation (RDC), and MACL. With 63 projects assigned, MACL plays a central role in the government’s nationwide infrastructure programme.
Proposal to transfer ice plant to MIFCO expected next week
The Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources is preparing to transfer a privately owned, non-operational ice plant in Makunudhoo to the state-run Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO), Minister Ahmed Shiyam announced during President Muizzu’s visit to Haa Dhaalu Atoll. The move follows a sustained decline in active fishing vessels on the historically significant island, which the minister attributed to prolonged administrative neglect.
The facility was established in 2018 by Sea Treasures Maldives Pvt. Ltd. through a fisheries loan and has remained inactive for an extended period. The company has now expressed its intention to hand over the plant, the minister said, with a substantial portion of the loan already repaid to the ministry.
A recent assessment determined that extensive repairs are required to restore the site to operational status. Minister Shiyam noted that the government’s involvement responds to persistent appeals from local fishermen seeking renewed functionality under state management. President Muizzu has pledged to expedite restoration efforts. A formal proposal to transfer the facility to MIFCO is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Finance and Planning next week, marking a critical step toward its revival, the minister added.
Passport services decentralised to improve access across atolls
Passport issuance services were officially launched in Makunudhoo during the president’s visit, with the inauguration led by Minister Ali Ihusaan during President Muizzu's public meeting with residents.
This initiative is part of a broader government policy to ensure passport availability from every inhabited atoll, thereby eliminating the need for residents to travel to Malé. The service has already been introduced in 13 atolls, with further plans underway to facilitate national identity card issuance across the islands.
President Muizzu greeted by island officials and residents upon arrival
Arriving in Makunudhoo on Tuesday morning, President Muizzu was received by senior officials from the island’s institutions and a large gathering of residents. The reception reflected the community’s visible engagement and anticipation surrounding the presidential visit, underscoring the public’s alignment with the development agenda outlined during the tour.