President Announces New Projects on Tour of Laamu Atoll

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu concluded an official visit to islands of Hahdhunmathi Atoll (Laamu Atoll) during which the government announced and signed several projects for the south-central atoll

The President’s Office said the President “engaged in meetings with councils, Women’s Development Committees (WDC) and the Atoll council to discuss the development needs” during his visit to Laamu.

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The government unveiled several projects during the visit, in a bid to garner support for the ruling coalition ahead of this month’s parliamentary elections

Maritime Hub to be developed in L. Gaadhoo

Maldives Ports Limited signed a partnership agreement with Chinese company CAMCE to develop a Maritime Hub on the island of Gaadhoo  – which sits on the biggest maritime channel in between atolls in the Maldives.

The Gaadhoo Maritime Hub will include a transshipment port offering off-shore bunkering services to all vessels navigating Maldivian waters, as well as a cruise terminal with facilities to cater to cruise ships, a “superyacht marine” to cater to luxury yachts, a storage facility for food storage and logistics and an eco-resort focused on the conservation of turtles nesting in Gaadhoo.

MoU signed to develop Kahdhoo “International” Airport

During the visit, Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muhthalib signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CAMCE to re-develop Kahdhoo Airport into an International Airport.  

Discussions to convert the domestic airport at Kahdhoo into an International Airport has been going on for some time with MTCC being contracted to reclaim land for the project during the former administration last year.

Resorts, causeway and mental hospital among promised projects

In addition to the maritime hub and the airport project, the President and his ministers promised a host of different projects for Laamu.

Muizzu told supporters in Gan that improving the Gan Regional Hospital is a prioirity for his government adding that a mental health hospital will also be developed in the island.

While speaking at an event in Isdhoo, Muizzu told the island that the government will fast track plans to build a causeway between Kalaidhoo and Dhanbidhoo. In addition, the road development project of Isdhoo and Kalaidhoo will also go ahead during his term, he claimed.

Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal, native son to Laamu Fonadhoo, promised to develop the tourism sector in the atoll which includes the Asseyri Tourism Project. This is an integrated beachfront tourism project which would create over 700 tourist beds in Gan.

Faisal also said the government plans to build two new resorts in the atoll, adding to the two existing resorts. A picnic island will also be developed for both tourists and locals, he added.

Following his trip to Laamu Atoll, Muizzu departed to Addu Atoll on Friday. The President has stepped up visits to islands and project announcements ahead of the parliamentary elections this month. 

Earlier this month, Transparency Maldives expressed concern about multiple development projects being announced during campaign visits without a clear and transparent long-term plan or development strategy.