President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government is working on bringing in large dredgers to expedite the land reclamation projects across the Maldives.
The President made the announcement while addressing residents of Komandoo during his ongoing tour of the inhabited islands in Shaviyani Atoll.
The lack of land for airport development, housing projects and industrial work in the islands remains a major concern for island councils and residents. Meanwhile, the government has commenced dredging for the President's visionary Rasmale’ project, alongside several other land reclamation projects at various stages of development in Male’ and across atolls.
Addressing Komandoo residents, the President shared in detail, the efforts being undertaken to accelerate the dredging operations for these projects. He revealed that three dredgers are being brought in under Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which was recently awarded the contracts to develop most of the new airports. Agreements have been signed with two foreign companies, and the first dredger, an 11,000-tonne-vessel, is expected to arrive later this month for the land reclamation project of Vilufushi, Thaa Atoll.
Additionally, a 45,000-tonne hopper dredger will be delivered in the middle of next month, and will be utilised for the Rasmale’ project. A third dredger is expected arrive in December this year, he said.
"The dredger will first reclaim the land for Dhidhdhoo Airport. The work will be completed within two weeks or three weeks at most. After that, it will be moved to Shaviyani Atoll to complete land reclamation works on each island before being deployed for projects in Male’ Atoll,” the President explained.
The President added that MACL is also working with another company to bring in additional dredgers to support dredging in Hulhumale’ Phase III, Giraavaru Falhu and Uthuru Thila Falhu in the Male’ area. The President said that the development work in the islands is being carried out with extensive planning and administrative work.
Earlier in the day, the President met with members of the Komandoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee, and heads of local institutions to discuss the island’s key development priorities.
During the meeting, the council outlined key development priorities for the island. These included connecting Komandoo and Mathi Komandoo, resuming the halted sewerage project, and providing utility services to newly allocated land plots. They also requested the swift commencement of the ice plant project, road construction, and the development of a sports complex.
Additionally, the council called for the establishment of a dialysis unit at the health centre to enhance local healthcare services. School representatives highlighted the need for renovation works, particularly the repair of the school’s perimeter wall. The council also expressed gratitude for the commencement of the airport development project on the island that day. President Dr Muizzu assured participants that the government would give due consideration to their concerns.
Speaking on the development of the Komandoo Airport at the meeting with island residents, President Muizzu assured that the project would progress without delay. The project, contracted to MACL, will see the reclamation of 48.8 hectares of land. President Muizzu explained that the dredging work will continue without any delay and the installation of the bund wall will be completed within two months. When this stage is completed, a dredger will be bought in, he said, adding that once the land reclamation is completed, the airport development works would soon begin.
The President said MACL would do all the necessary work to develop the airport and provide services. The dredging work will be completed within eight months and the airport will be opened within a maximum of 30 months, he said.
"This is a very confident assurance from the government. We have given the maximum completion dates. We are also set to start work on the development of airports in three islands of this atoll. We are implementing the projects according to a structured plan," he said.
Highlighting other development initiatives planned for Komandoo, the President said 50 housing units would be built on Komandoo to address local housing issues. The project is included in next year's budget and is scheduled to start early next year, he said.
In the health sector, the President announced that dialysis services will be launched this year to bring further improvements to the health sector. Furthermore, school renovations will be included in the budget for next year, he said. Highlighting the sports sector, the President said the budget has included the development of an indoor sports complex in Komandoo, set to launch early next year.
Additionally, the President said the budget would include the road construction work after the completion of the island’s stalled water and sewerage project.
"If the current agreement for water and sewerage project is not fulfilled, a new agreement will be drawn up. Once completed, the road development project will be included in the budget. It also includes the construction of a police station and a council office, as well as linking Mathi Komandoo, including its water and electricity network. I will fulfil all pledges I made to you,” the President said.
Turning to tourism, President Muizzu emphasised the need to expand the sector in Shaviyani atoll, noting that tourism has not adequately reached the atoll. To address this, the government has opened opportunities for tourism development in the atoll with special concessions, including open bidding for a period of two years for the development of three plots of 200 hectares from the atoll’s Fushifaru and Gonaafaru lagoon. A closed bid has also been awarded to a party to develop a resort in Kudalhaimendhoo, while Nalandhoo has also been opened for tourism developed. He stressed that expanding tourism alongside airport development is vital for regional growth, adding that the government wants local youth to work in resorts near their home islands.
The agreement for the development and operation of Komandoo Airport was handed over to MACL as part of the President’s visit to Komandoo. Additionally, the agreement to establish an ice plant on the island was signed between the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources and Atheon Private Limited. Inhabited island, Gallaidhoo was also handed over to Komandoo Council as part of the visit, under efforts to enhance its financial capacity.