Four investors express interest in developing Hope Island

Home Minister Ali Ihusan states four investors have expressed interest in developing Hope Island, a juvenile rehabilitation facility.

Speaking after the ceremony held at the President’s Office this morning to ratify the new Anti-Gang Crime Act, Minister Ihusan said invitation to express interest in developing Hope Island was opened for investors on March 21^st, with a deadline set for April 18^th.

According to the Minister, four investors have expressed interest during this period. The Minister detailed that the four investors will be briefed on the project by the end of tomorrow and granted a one-month period to formulate and submit a complete proposal. The project would be awarded after evaluating the proposals, he added.

Hope Island project involves the reclamation, shore protection, and development of facilities on a 15-hectare area at K. Uthuru Thila Falhu (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.

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.