Govt offers Vaanee and lagoons in exchange for developing central prison, Hope Island

The Homeland Security Ministry has invited investments in two key projects – the development of a central prison and juvenile rehabilitation facility ‘Hope Island’ – offering an island and lagoons in exchange for full development.

The ministry issued invitations on Monday for qualified and interested firms to submit their Expressions of Interest (EOI) for both the project to develop a prison complex and the Hope Island – both of which are to be developed in K. Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF).

The prison project is aimed at establishing a centralized prison complex to consolidate all existing prison units into a single, purpose-built facility. Meanwhile, the Hope Island is part of a national strategy to establish a long-term and sustainable rehabilitation and social reintegration facility for children in conflict with the law.

According to the ministry, both projects are to be developed under a cross-subsidization model, wherein the selected investor may propose commercially viable components to offset the developmental costs associated with the projects.

Interested firms have been asked to submit their EOI to the ministry’s office or via email to [email protected] by 02:00 pm on April 27.

The ministry is offering investors the chance to choose between four financing models and options for both projects; a full-developmental model, a construction-only model, a hybrid model, and an operational management option.

Investors who opt for the full financing model for the Hope Island project can obtain commercial use rights to Dh. Vaanee - which is currently being used by police for operational training – including its lagoon and two additional reef plots. They can also seek a revised special tax and reduced rent rate on businesses operating in Vaanee and the reef plots.

Meanwhile, investors who opt for the full financing project for the central prison project can also obtain commercial use rights to lagoons.

The prison project involves the reclamation, shore protection, and development of facilities on a 30-hectare area at UTF. This includes residential units, holding cells, vocational training and rehabilitation facilities, educational facilities, recreational and sports facilities, a full-service hospital with a pharmacy, drug rehab and detox facilities, a halfway house, two ceremonial grounds, administrative infrastructure, mess halls, a court facility, and a mosque that can accommodate up to 1,000 worshippers.

The ministry estimates the total population of the facility to be around 6,000, including residents, educators, staff and visitors.

Meanwhile, the Hope Island project involves the reclamation, shore protection, and development of facilities on a 15-hectare area at UTF. This includes residential units, holding cells, an education hub, vocational training facilities, recreational and sports areas, a full-service clinic with a pharmacy, two ceremonial grounds, administrative infrastructure, mess halls, a community and family area that includes apartments for visiting families, and a mosque that can accommodate up to 700 worshippers.

The ministry estimates the total population of the facility to be around 700, including residents, educators, staff and visitors.

According to estimates shared by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the Hope Island project is estimated to cost USD 10 million for reclamation and another USD 15 million to develop facilities. Meanwhile, the central prison project is estimated to cost USD 15 million for reclamation and another USD 15 million to develop facilities.

The ministry expects both facilities to be completely done and handed over before the end of October 2027.