President Muizzu Pledges Swift Completion of Naalaafushi Land Reclamation and Development Projects

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured that the land reclamation on Naalaafushi, Meemu Atoll, will be implemented, alongside the swift completion of the causeway linking Muli and Naalaafushi.

During a meeting with Naalaafushi residents as part of his ongoing tour of four atolls, the President outlined the island’s most significant development projects. He noted that, like some other islands in the country, Naalaafushi faces a land shortage, which has constrained housing and economic growth. In response, the government has approved the island’s harbour expansion, land reclamation, and beach protection projects, alongside the rapid completion of the Muli-Naalaafushi causeway.

"The land reclamation project will dredge an area larger than the current size of the island. Naalaafushi is currently 12 hectares, and we will add 15 hectares. Work on the causeway and dredging will also commence this year," he said.

The President also assured that the island’s water and sewerage projects would be completed soon, as requested by the island residents. In addition, construction will progress on the new police building, the fitness and recreation centre, and the expansion of the school to address space constraints by the start of the next academic year.

The President said the construction of the new Naalaafushi Health Centre building will start within the next two months, featuring a four-bed emergency room, laboratory and other essential services.

The President also mentioned that the practical work of the island waste management facility will commence this year.

Meeting with Community Leaders

Earlier in the day, President Muizzu met with the members of the Naalaafushi Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions to discuss the island’s key development priorities. Council members outlined several urgent issues facing the community, including the need for harbour upgrades, improvements to water and sewerage systems, expanded sports facilities, the establishment of a picnic island, acceleration of causeway construction, the addition of a generator to address electricity concerns, and the resolution of space constraints at the Health Centre.

Sports Sector Pledges

The President said the island’s football field will be developed to double as a handball court, and will include a rostrum and a lighting system for day and night use. He assured that the project will be contracted and commenced within the current year.

The Naalaafushi Fitness and Recreation Centre’s foundation stone was also laid during the President’s visit.

Integrated Land Reclamation and Harbour Development

During the meeting with island residents, Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure and the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) signed an agreement for the integrated land reclamation and harbour development project. The agreement was signed by Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib while MTCC was represented by its Managing Director, Ahmed Saudi.

The project will reclaim a total of 15.48 hectares, addressing long-standing space constraints on the island, enabling issuance of land plots, and creating additional space for industrial activities. The project includes 993 metres of bioswale, 709 metres of revetment, and 440 metres of groyne. The project is valued at USD 11.2 million, to be completed within 720 days.

Naalaafushi Harbour Expansion Project

The Harbour Expansion Project, also awarded to MTCC, is valued at USD 4.18 million with a 400-day completion timeline. The project seeks to facilitate access to the island, and improve cargo loading and unloading. An area of 43,998.60 cubic metres will be dredged under the project, with the construction of 408 metres of quay wall, 191 metres of breakwater, re-profiling of 46 metres of the existing breakwater, revetment of a 78-metre area, installing a 25-metre groyne, paving 2,030 square metres, and installing harbour lights.

New Council Building and Police Post

The groundbreaking for the new council building for Naalaafushi island council was held as part of the President’s visit, with Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar laying the foundation stone alongside the local Member of Parliament, and the Council President. The building is part of a government initiative to construct new council offices on over 100 islands during the current term. The project’s contractor is Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC) Pvt Ltd.

The foundation stone for the new police post to be developed in Naalaafushi was laid by the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, alongside the Commissioner of Police, the Road Development Corporation (RDC)’s Managing Director and the constituency’s Member of Parliament and the Council President. The project supports the government’s pledge to establish a police presence on all inhabited islands across the Maldives before the end of the year.