President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced the successful and rapid completion of a major land reclamation project in Gaadhiffushi, Thaa Atoll, underscoring his administration's commitment to development projects irrespective of electoral outcomes.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the President's Office, where he revealed that the dredging of 11 hectares of land was finished within a remarkable eight-day period, with practical work having commenced on 10 April.
The President's statement came in response to a journalist's question, which he used to emphasise that his government does not time its development initiatives to coincide with elections. To illustrate this point, President Muizzu noted that his party, the Peoples National Congress (PNC), did not secure a single seat in the Gaadhiffushi council and women’s development committee elections held on the 4 April, yet the crucial dredging work was completed shortly thereafter.
“The dredging work has been completed. I will continue to implement the projects in the islands regardless of the election results,” the President said firmly.
The significant infrastructural project involved dredging 390 cubic metres of sand to create the new 11 hectares of land. To ensure its longevity and protect the island's coastline, the initiative also includes the installation of substantial coastal protection measures—a 100-metre rock breakwater, a 704-metre rock revetment, and a 100-metre groyne.
The government has said that this project will directly address the critical issue of land scarcity for the residents of Gaadhiffushi and is expected to be a major catalyst for the island's future economic and social development.