Govt: MVR 4M project initiated at Hirimaradhoo as people still reside there

The government has defended its decision to initiate a MVR 4 million project in HDh. Hirimaradhoo – an island with an extremely small population – which President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has already decided would be relocated to another island.

The government awarded 206 projects on a contractor financing basis to 53 private companies on Thursday. According to the government, these projects would set a record for development.

One of the projects, the development of a waste and resource management centre at Hirimaradhoo, was awarded to a private company named ‘Build Tech’ for MVR 4.1 million.

The high-cost project has been initiated at Hirimaradhoo despite the government’s decision to relocate the residents of Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo, in the same atoll.

The government’s decision had come despite expressed wishes from Hirimadhoo residents to shift to K. Thulusdhoo, near capital Male’, relayed to Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar by Hirimaradhoo Council during a meeting on September 9, 2024.

President Muizzu, during a meeting with Hirimaradhoo residents on August 24^th as part of a tour of Haa Dhaalu Atoll, announced that the government will provide housing for Hirimaradhoo residents willing to relocate to Hanimaadhoo.

In this regard, the President said each family with a plot of land in Hirimaradhoo would receive a house in Hanimaadhoo, which will be completed in 18 months.

When questioned by Sun regarding why a high-cost project has been initiated at Hirimadhoo with pending plans of relocation, the government’s chief spokesperson, Heena Waleed, said the project was initiated as people still reside on the island.

She added that essential services will be developed on the island for as long as people reside there.

“The government will ensure the establishment of essential services for as long as residents continue to live in Hirimaradhoo,” she said.