President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing four-day tour of South Thiladhunmathi Atoll has centred on a string of economic and infrastructure pledges, with airports, ports, housing, and fisheries emerging as key priorities for the northern region.
In HDh. Makunudhoo, the President confirmed that Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) will develop a new airport featuring an 1,800-metre runway, alongside coastal protection and land reclamation works. Twenty-two hectares of land are to be secured for housing and related infrastructure, while Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has been assigned to operate the new facility. Makunudhoo’s health centre will also be elevated to a Level-6 facility, expanding specialised medical services in the island.
In HDh. Vaikaradhoo, agreements were signed with MTCC to upgrade the island harbour, a long-standing issue for residents. The President also pledged to complete a long-delayed 12-classroom school project within this year, relocate the powerhouse, and support agriculture by revising ferry routes to make Vaikaradhoo a departure point for produce shipments.
Economic empowerment was also a theme in HDh. Neykurendhoo, where the government handed over land previously allocated for a jail to the Island Council for community-led development. Projects signed included harbour expansion, a swimming track, and shore protection measures, with budget allocations pledged for a multi-purpose hall and other facilities. The visit also featured commitments to extend the health centre and build recreational amenities.
Kulhudhuffushi City saw some of the most extensive announcements. The President confirmed that the Gulper shark fishery will reopen in November under a new management plan, reviving a once key income stream for the region. Investment was also pledged in tourism, with plans for a city hotel near the airport and eco-tourism development in Keylakunu. Infrastructure agreements included expansion of the commercial port with a bonded zone, development of a new passenger terminal at Kulhudhuffushi Airport, and the resumption of stalled housing projects alongside the construction of 2,000 new units.
The tour has also been framed by broader policy pledges, including a commitment to strengthen decentralised governance, expand the role of island councils, and support Women’s Development Committees.
