President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured that the 100 housing units currently under construction in Thimarafushi will be completed by Ramadan, with funding for an additional 100 units to be allocated in next year’s budget.
The President made the statement while addressing the residents of Thimarafushi, as part of the President’s visit to four atolls across the Maldives.
In his address, the President highlighted development projects planned for the island. He revealed he was working with Fenaka Corporation to address delays in the housing project and accelerate progress. The government plans to hand over the electricity, water and sewerage connections to Fenaka Corporation to ensure that the units are habitable before Ramadan.
“The rent of these housing units has now been lowered to MVR 3,333, (USD 216) and the down payment reduced from MVR 20,000 (USD 1297) to MVR 10,000 (USD 649). The grace period will begin only after residents move into the houses,” the President said.
The President also announced that while an additional 100 housing units will be developed in Thimarafushi, government housing projects will include opportunities for tourism workers.
Highlighting youth and sports development, the President confirmed plans to develop the football ground and upgrade the existing youth centre into a fitness and recreation centre using the funds allotted in the budget.
The President acknowledged delays in the island’s hospital project and pledged to resolve the issue, assuring that once completed, residents would have access to a fully equipped facility. In the meantime, he said the administration would upgrade the existing health centre to a Level 4 facility within three months, citing the urgent need for improved healthcare on the island.
“Currently, we are working on upgrading the health centre to reach the highest level for health centres, which is Level 4. This work will be completed within three months. We will continue to develop the existing building by adding resources and staff,” he stated.
On harbour development, the President said the new harbour will be developed as a new project, with additional space.
Announcing that passport issuance services will commence in Thimarafushi soon, the President also pledged to hand over operation of the island’s waste management centre to Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO). Waste management will be carried out in a sustainable manner, he added.
As for tourism development, the President said the largest uninhabited island in Thaa Atoll and the entire Maldives will soon be opened for tourism.
Thimarafushi Hospital Construction Launched
The groundbreaking for the construction of a 30-bed hospital was launched as part of the President’s visit to the island. In a ceremony attended by the President, the hospital’s foundation stone was laid by Minister of Health Abdulla Nazim. The Managing Director of the Road Development Corporation (RDC) Ibrahim Nazeem, the Member of Parliament of the constituency as well as the island’s Council President were in attendance. The contractor for the project is RDC.
Awarding of Harbour and Road Development
Agreements were also signed with contractors for the construction of a harbour and development of modern roads in Thimarafushi, as part of the meeting where the President met with island residents. The harbour development project was handed over to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), with Minister of Housing, Construction and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib signing the agreement on behalf of the government. MTCC was represented by its Managing Director, Ahmed Saudi.
Meanwhile, the second phase of the island’s road development project was handed over to RDC. Minister Muththalib represented the government while Managing Director Nazeem signed on behalf of the contractor.
Last stop of Presidential Tour
Thimarafushi was the final stop during the President’s tour of four atolls, visiting a total of 31 islands over eight days. He received a warm welcome from the island.