President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has launched a project to reclaim the Fushidhiggaru Falhu - the biggest component of his plan to resolve the housing crisis in the greater Male’ area.
The project was inaugurated by President Muizzu in a ceremony held at the project site on Monday evening.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Muizzu said that resolving the housing crisis is the biggest priority for his administration, after major national issues. He said that the land reclaimed in the project, which he named Rasmale’, was crucial to achieving the goal.
“This is the biggest land reclamation project in the country’s history,” he said.
President Muizzu had used his executive powers to remove Fushidhiggaru Falhu from the jurisdiction of K. Gulhi, in order to run the project.
The project will see the reclamation of 1,113 hectors, which President Muizzu said is triple the size of both phases of Hulhumale’ combined.
“This will be a green and pleasant place,” he said.
President Muizzu said that he aims to develop Fushidhiggaru Falhu as a zero-carbon city, and that it will be branded ‘Maldives Eco City.’
He also announced plans to reclaim an additional 85 hectares from Gulhifalhu, and 50 hectares from Giraavaru Falhu.
He said that the projects will provide a permanent solution to the housing crisis facing the greater Male' region.
“I reiterate my commitment to solving the housing crisis by the end of the five-year term,” he said.
The government did not disclose the project’s contractor, or how the project is being financed.
The MVR 400 million allocated for the project was removed from next year’s budget when the Parliament passed it last week.
But Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar said the project was important to the government, and that they would find a way to finance it.
Fushishiggaru Falhu is being developed as part of a 20-year masterplan. Haidar said that given the distance from Male’ City, Fushidhiggaru will be developed with all facilities that would eliminate the need for residents to travel to the capital to access services.
The administration plans on allocating MVR 600 million for the project in 2025, and MVR 350 million, the next year.
While the project is important to the government, the main opposition MDP has criticized it. They assert that the government should have utilized funds to establish facilities at Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru Falhu, instead.
