President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured residents of Veyvah, Meemu Atoll, that their concerns will be addressed promptly. He made the remark while meeting local leaders and community members as part of his ongoing tour of four atolls.
During the meeting, the President of Veyvah Council, Mamdhooh Waheed highlighted that a project had been launched with a Dubai-based company to implement an integrated tourism project, alongside some other islands in the atoll. This project aims to boost the island’s prosperity and increase council revenue, he noted. As part of this project, two hectares of land have been allocated to implement a 320-room tourism project, with work on 85 rooms already launched. The Council President noted although the project was undertaken in consultation with relevant agencies, it has now come to a standstill within the administration. Therefore, he requested a swift solution to the matter.
"If this project can be implemented, the entire atoll will see significant progress in the next three years, including an increase in the number of flights. The project will also involve the development of a 4-hectare picnic island,” he said.
Members of the community highlighted several socio-economic needs. They requested the development of sports facilities, the creation of an enabling environment for tourism on the island, the initiation of a housing project, and measures to address space constraints at the school. They noted that work on the island’s football ground had also stalled.
In response, the President assured the community that development projects earmarked for the island would be implemented at an accelerated pace. He confirmed that a harbour development project would be included in the 2026 budget and pledged to resolve the space constraints at the school by the beginning of the 2026 academic year. He announced that practical work on health projects, such as upgrading the Health Centre, will commence this year, while the futsal field will be completed during the current year. A volleyball court will be included in next year’s budget. The island’s water and sewerage project is also expected to reach completion within two months.
"We will review the tourism project with the relevant ministry and determine the next steps. The school project will be handed over to Fenaka Corporation Limited this year and completed by next academic year,” the President said.
New Council Building Inaugurated
The new council building for Veyvah island council was inaugurated as part of the President’s visit to the island. The President inaugurated the building alongside Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, and the Member of Parliament for the constituency as well as the Council’s President. The building is part of a government initiative to construct new council offices on over 100 islands during the current term.
Construction of Veyvah Police Station
The foundation stone for the new police station to be developed in Veyvah was also laid by the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan as part of the President’s visit. The project will be carried out by Fenaka Corporation Limited, supporting the government’s pledge to establish a police presence on all inhabited islands across the Maldives before the end of the year.
Presidential tour
The President’s visit to Veyvah marks his 11th stop during his ongoing tour of four atolls. Over the course of the eight-day tour, the President will visit all inhabited islands across the four atolls, covering a total of 31 islands. The visit forms part of his broader commitment to tour all Maldivian atolls and engage directly with councils at the island, atoll, and city levels.