In Mulah, President Muizzu Pairs National Planning With Local Delivery Across Housing, Fuel and Public Services

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a comprehensive development agenda during a multi-atoll tour, outlining a strategic framework that prioritises national digitalisation, long-term planning, and targeted infrastructure investment. Speaking to residents of Mulah in Meemu Atoll, the president highlighted the 20-year national development roadmap, a major budgetary commitment to public service digitalisation, and a series of local projects aimed at alleviating housing shortages and improving fuel access and public amenities.

A legislative roadmap to guide national transformation

Central to the president’s address was the introduction of a 20-year national development plan, described as essential to his administration’s goal of transforming the Maldives into a developed nation by 2040. He underscored that this ambition requires equitable development across all islands, irrespective of population size.

To ensure the plan reflects public priorities, President Muizzu called for “the full consultation and active participation of the citizens and their respective councils.” Dedicated teams will be deployed to conduct direct consultations with island communities.

“Our objective is to ensure that the nation's developmental trajectory is aligned with the aspirations of the people,” he said. “The progress and development for our citizens must not be derailed by political transitions. Therefore, we are formalising this plan through legislation to provide it with legal authority and ensure its protection.”

The roadmap is scheduled for inauguration in January 2026, followed by a public feedback phase. Implementation is expected to begin in July, subject to citizen approval.

Digitalisation takes centre stage in national strategy

The national strategy includes the ‘Maldives 2.0’ initiative, a comprehensive digitalisation programme that will receive a significant share of the national budget beginning in 2026. The government aims to digitise all public services by that year, with continued development through 2027 and into early 2028. The initiative is positioned as a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector.

The project will integrate services across councils, ministries, the banking system, state-owned enterprises, and the judiciary into a unified digital network. President Muizzu described the system as critical to curbing corruption and maintaining public trust. Once operational, it will serve as the primary platform for citizens to access government services. He confirmed that major work on the initiative will proceed as planned, supported by the 2027 and 2028 budgets.

Housing and public services targeted in Mulah development push

Responding to local concerns, President Muizzu pledged to address the housing shortage in Mulah, announcing that construction of 50 new housing units will begin within the year. He described the initiative as a first step, with further housing projects to follow.

Recognising Mulah’s role as a fishing island, the president announced plans to establish a cold storage facility funded through foreign grant aid. During his visit, an agreement was signed to construct a 30-tonne ice plant, with the contract executed by Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam and Dr Ikleel Shareef, Director at Three Way Enterprises Private Limited. Construction will commence once the island council allocates the necessary land, the president said.

The president also committed to a rapid timeline for infrastructure upgrades. Road construction is expected to be completed within four months, alongside the establishment of a new fitness and recreation centre. The island’s health centre will be upgraded to a hospital, with a new ambulance to be provided within the year.

Additional commitments include the development of the football ground for night-time use and the construction of a women’s handball court, both scheduled to begin next year. The school’s extension building will be completed before the next academic year. The president also pledged to resolve electricity issues and provide a vehicle to strengthen the operational capacity of the police service.

Fuel access reforms aim to support fishing communities

Support for the fishing industry includes plans to establish a fuel skid facility on Mulah, enabling fishermen to purchase fuel at State Trading Organisation (STO) rates. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026.

“STO is advancing this project with considerable speed,” the president elaborated. “The prefabrication of the fuel skids, which is being conducted abroad, is now substantially complete. According to the current schedule, these units are set to be shipped to the Maldives within the next one and a half to two months.”

The facility is part of a broader government commitment to ensure fuel access at STO rates in at least one island per atoll. Together with the planned ice plant and cold storage facility, it is expected to deliver significant benefits to fishermen across Meemu Atoll. The president noted that his administration has settled outstanding payments to fishermen from the previous year and is now ensuring payments are made within 48 hours.

Harbour expansion project begins with USD 4 million investment

During the visit, construction work officially commenced on the Mulah harbour development project. The ceremony was attended by President Muizzu and officiated by Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib.

The USD 4.06 million project was awarded to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), with a completion deadline of 485 days. MTCC, established in 1980, cited the inadequacy of the current harbour for the island’s vessel traffic, which has posed challenges for the community of 1,942 residents, whose primary livelihood is fishing.

The expanded harbour is expected to improve mooring and cargo operations, delivering substantial social and economic benefits. The project scope includes dredging a 70,120 cubic metre area, constructing a 284-metre quay wall, a 253-metre sand-filled outer revetment, a 25-metre groyne, an additional 53-metre revetment, and paving a 3,062 square metre area. Harbour lights will also be installed. President Muizzu confirmed that the harbour will be extended to 1,400 feet and a new jetty will be constructed on the island’s northern side.

Police station construction aligns with national safety agenda

In a separate development, construction work commenced on a new police station in Mulah. The event was attended by the president and inaugurated by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, the commissioner of police, and the managing director of the Road Development Corporation (RDC).

The facility is part of the government’s broader objective to establish police stations on every inhabited island within two years, a move the administration views as essential to building a safer society.

Mulah marks the twelfth stop in presidential tour

Mulah marked the twelfth stop on President Muizzu’s ongoing tour of inhabited islands across four atolls, with Meemu Atoll being the third visited. Upon arrival, the president was greeted by a large crowd of residents gathered at the harbour.