55 council buildings to be completed by July 2026, says ministry

The Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works announced Wednesday that the construction of council office buildings in 55 islands will be completed before the end of July 2026.

According to the ministry, materials have been dispatched to 38 islands across 18 atolls, and practical construction work has begun in 42 locations. The project is part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to structurally develop 55 council buildings during his term.

The initial contract for the project was awarded to Malaysia-based Hextar Global on January 20, 2024. However, the agreement was terminated on July 6, before construction began. Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar said the cancellation was due to Hextar’s refusal to accept changes proposed by individual councils.

The ministry stated that the project would resume the same month and be completed within a year. On August 16, the government awarded the contract to Rasheed Carpentry and Construction (RCC).

Many council buildings across the Maldives are in deteriorating condition, prompting the government to prioritize their reconstruction. The new buildings are expected to improve administrative capacity and public service delivery in island communities.