The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has been awarded the contract to dredge Maafaru Falhu and develop it as an urban centre.
The contract was awarded as part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing tour of Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. The agreement was signed on behalf of the government by the Minister of Finance and Planning, Moosa Zameer, while MACL’s Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, signed on behalf of the company.
Along with the signing ceremony, the dredging work for Maafaru Falhu officially commenced. Maafaru Falhu is a large lagoon located between the islands of Mahibadhoo and Omadhoo in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll. Maafaru Falhu was brought under the jurisdiction of Mahibadhoo Island Council in April last year. In December, President Muizzu met with the Mahibadhoo Island Council and instructed the council to incorporate community input into the preparation of the master plan for Maafaru Falhu.
The government has identified seven areas across the Maldives to be developed as urban centres. These are Ungoofaaru in Raa Atoll, Eydhafushi of Baa Atoll, Naifaru of Lhaviyani Atoll, Mahibadhoo of Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, Nilandhoo of Faafu Atoll, Kudahuvadhoo of Dhaalu Atoll and Fonadhoo of Laamu Atoll.