Raiymandhoo residents wish to move to Rasmale’

The residents of M. Raiymandhoo wish to move to the Rasmale’ – an artificial island being reclaimed from the Fushi Dhiggaru Falhu in K. Atoll – if there’s enough space there, says the island’s council.

Raiymandhoo Council’s president Ismail Nahid told Sun that the council had received a petition signed by around 114 people registered to the island seeking to relocate to another island.

Nihad said that many of the petitioners hadn’t resided in the island for a long time, and cited the lack of availability of essential services in Raiymandhoo as the reason for their request.

He said that following discussions, the council decided to present the petition to the government.

“They petitioned to migrate to Rasmale’ if there’s space there,” said Nihad.

He said that the petition also seeks clarity on the government’s plans for islands with small populations such as Raiymandhoo.

Nihad also noted that petition does not represent the views of the entire population, and that there are some Raiymandhoo residents who wish to remain there.

Raiymandhoo has 240 people registered to the island. However, only some 100 people reside in the island.

Nihad said that though the petition cited a lack of essential facilities, the only thing lacking is the standard of education.

He also said that the residents of Raiymandhoo had been managing with the island’s small jetty, but that the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been contracted to build a harbor in the island.

The Rasmale’ project – launched on December 18, 2023 – will see the reclamation of 1,093 hectors of land from the Fushi Dhiggaru Falhu. However, the original deadline for completion of land reclamation works has long passed.

The appeal by Raiymandhoo residents to move to Rasmale’ comes as HDh. Hirimaradhoo engages in talks with the Local Government Ministry regarding a request to relocate closer to the capital, to K. Thulusdhoo.