President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the final stage of preparations to replace the harbour channel in Dhidhdhoo, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, is underway, with the project scheduled to begin in November. He made the announcement while addressing residents and senior community members as part of his ongoing tour of the atoll.
The meeting, held at the island’s harbour area and attended by members of the Island Council, heads of institutions, and local residents, provided an opportunity for participants to present the island’s most pressing development needs.
During the meeting, council members and residents highlighted that conditions during the south-west monsoon created severe difficulties in using the harbour channel due to its current location. They noted that the harbour issues have persisted for over 40 years without resolution.
President Dr Muizzu assured the community that the government would give due consideration to their concerns, noting that the harbour channel project will commence in November under the government’s plans to address deteriorating infrastructure. He described the decades-long delay in resolving the harbour issue as a major oversight by successive governments.
"The project will be completed within a year from commencement at most. The government will give priority to this longstanding issue," he said.
A number of projects were launched in Dhidhdhoo on Monday to coincide with the President’s visit, including the construction of a fitness and recreation centre, a shore protection project, and the development of a futsal field. The futsal field development and shore protection project were contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), while the development of the fitness and recreation centre was handed over to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). A new Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM was also inaugurated on the island.
Referring to the new initiatives, the President said the projects are all of significant importance, and assured that they will be completed swiftly. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the island’s development needs without discrimination, regardless of population size.
During the meeting, the Council also requested that satellite school sessions be converted into physical sessions. They further raised concerns over stalled water and sanitation projects on the island.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib assured that the government would relocate the harbour channel as requested by the people after conducting the necessary studies in collaboration with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) to obtain the necessary design and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals. As soon as the EIA process reaches completion, the harbour channel changes will be implemented accordingly within the current year, he added.
The Minister further noted the stalled water and sewerage project was not due to government negligence, and that steps are being taken to expedite the project.