Foundation Stone Laid for State-of-the-Art Fisheries Complex in Ihavandhoo
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Photo: Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources
The foundation stone for a state-of-the-art fisheries complex in Haa Alifu Ihavandhoo was laid yesterday as part of a major investment in the Maldives’ fisheries sector.
The project, which is backed by financial assistance from the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB), is scheduled to begin construction in May and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The ceremony was attended by Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) CEO Dr Vitaly Lubimov, and Ihavandhoo Island Council President Ahmed Sobah. The initiative forms a key component of President Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to Haa Alif Atoll, where he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the fisheries industry.
Eight Projects to Strengthen Infrastructure & Public Services on HA. Ihavandhoo pic.twitter.com/lFruLsqqin— Government of Maldives (@governmentmv) January 29, 2025
The fisheries complex project is valued at MVR 474 million, with MVR 416 million allocated for construction and MVR 58 million dedicated to developing a harbour. The facility will include a 1,000-tonne cold storage unit, a 50-tonne brine freeze facility, an office building, a power house, a vehicle workshop, and a warehouse. Additional infrastructure will feature three 3.5-metre-deep fish weighing platforms and a 30-metre-long road platform.
ހއ. އިހަވަންދޫ ފިޝަރީޒް ކޮމްޕްލެކްސްގެ ބިންގާ ވަޒީރު އަޙްމަދު ޝިޔާމްއާއި މިފްކޯގެ ސީ.އީ.އޯ ޑރ. ވިތާލީއާ އިހަވަންދޫ ކައުންސިލުގެ ރައީސް ސަބާހު އަޅުއްވައިދެއްވައިފި pic.twitter.com/6LS3emrBrY— Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources (@MFORmv) January 29, 2025
Ihavandhoo has a well-established fishing industry, and the new complex is expected to improve fish processing, storage, and trade in the region. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu highlighted that the project would create over 150 jobs, providing a significant economic boost for the local community. The government also stated that the project would contribute to regional economic growth and improve infrastructure on the island.
During President Muizzu’s visit, Home Minister Ali Ihusaan inaugurated new ID card and passport services for Ihavandhoo’s population of approximately 3,000. An agreement was also signed to install an MIB ATM on the island, with the agreement formalised between Island Council President Ahmed Sobah and MIB’s Head of Distribution Ibrahim Suhail. The government further announced plans to expand passport services nationwide.
Home Minister Ali Ihusaan previously stated that establishing a secure system for handling documents such as ID cards and passports in line with international standards presented a significant challenge. He noted that past administrations had faced similar difficulties but credited President Muizzu’s vision for enabling the establishment of such services.
As part of the visit, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was also signed for the development of a hospital in Ihavandhoo. This project aligns with a key pledge made by President Muizzu during his campaign. The agreement was signed by Health Minister Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim and Road Development Corporation (RDC) Managing Director Brigadier General (Retd.) Ali Zuhair.
Plans are underway to introduce dialysis services at the hospital, with President Muizzu expressing confidence that the service would commence before Ramadan in February. Although the previous administration had pledged to upgrade the island’s health centre into a hospital, and the project was contracted to Duplex Private in January 2023, no significant progress had been made.