The government-developed Media Village in Hulhumale’' Phase 1 is on track for completion by June, Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef has revealed.
Speaking to journalists, held as part of the "Pressor with the Spoks" series, Hussain Shareef revealed that the facility, which will offer 34 spaces for media organisations, is scheduled to open to media professionals in the middle of this year.
The Spokesman assured that despite administrative changes involving the ministry previously entrusted with the project, construction work continues at a rapid pace and remains within the projected timeline.
"They gave the information that hopefully it will be completed by May or June. The work is nearing completion but it will be completed by June at the latest," he said when responding to questions from members of the press.
The Media Village represents a key initiative under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's administration to address the longstanding space constraints faced by local media organisations. During this year's Presidential Address, President Muizzu highlighted how media outlets have been forced to rent office and studio space from private buildings at significantly high costs, straining their operational resources and limiting growth opportunities.
The project is being developed in a building constructed by the State Trading Organization (STO) seventeen years ago as a city hotel, which has since been operated by World Business Pvt Ltd since August of last year. Under the government's new strategic vision, the facility is being redeveloped and rebranded as the "Manhattan Grand."
The Media Village forms part of a broader development framework that also includes establishing a youth centre, a medical college, and a heritage college within the same complex. Once completed, the facility will provide low-cost rentable offices and studio space designed to support the media industry's development and growth according to the income it generates.