Gov’t to Restart Stalled Projects Next Month as President Eyes Swift Completion

The government will resume stalled projects across the country as early as next month, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said Thursday, insisting that the completion of such projects remains a high priority.

Addressing the residents of Uligamu , Haa Alifu Atoll as the last stop on his three-day tour of several islands of the Atoll, the President highlighted that many projects in Uligamu and other parts of the country were stalled due to various challenges.

He emphasised the importance of continuing such initiatives to benefit the people and stated that the Government aims to mobilise state-owned companies to ensure their completion. The President assured the Government’s full commitment to achieving this goal.

The President emphasised that improving healthcare services is a key aspiration of the people of Uligamu. To address this, the project will be handed over to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) next month. During his visit, he toured the Uligamu Health Centre and engaged with the staff to understand the services provided and the challenges faced. “So these projects will be handed over to a state-owned company and we will see things progress. The school project contract in this island will also be terminated and restarted under this policy. This is why all these projects have stalled in all the islands across the country. All the administrative hurdles will be sorted out and all the projects will start in February,” the President assured.

President Dr Muizzu also announced that the development of a yacht marina in Uligamu would commence within six months. He also revealed that a buoy for sports fishing will be installed next month, benefiting the local community. President Meets Community Leaders Before meeting local residents, President Dr Muizzu had sat down with members of the Uligamu Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of institutions to address the island’s most essential developmental needs.

During the meeting, the Uligamu Council raised concerns with the President about waste management challenges and the urgent need for a waste management facility and a new health centre. They highlighted the importance of harbour development, noting that many foreign yachts dock at the island, and requested the establishment of a yacht marina. The Council also called for expediting the construction of a new school building and providing additional resources to enhance educational facilities on the island.

President Dr Muizzu assured that efforts would be made to address the issues raised by the council members. The ministers who accompanied him at the meeting shared the latest information regarding the concerns expressed by the Council, WDC, and heads of institutions during the meeting. Groundbreaking of New Council Secretariat Building During the visit to the island, President Dr Muizzu witnessed the groundbreaking of the New Uligamu Council Secretariat Building.

Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, during a ceremony attended by the President, Uligamu Island Council members and the local community leaders.

The project is being implemented on a contractor finance basis.
The Uligamu council secretariat is being constructed as part of the 55 council building project undertaken by Malaysia’s Nextar Global Sdn. Bhd. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2 years and 6 months. These buildings will be spacious and facilitate councilors and administrative work of the local councils.

In addition to the 55 councils being constructed by Nextar company, the government plans to rebuild an additional 50 council secretariats with assistance from the Chinese government. 
 Uligamu to Get ATM Services During the President’s visit to the island, Uligamu became the latest island to sign an agreement with Bank of Maldives Plc (BML) to install an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) on the island.

BML’s CEO and Managing Director, Mohamed Shareef signed the agreement on behalf of the bank, while the President of the Uligamu Island Council Ahmed Muaz Mohamed signed on behalf of the island. In November last year, BML announced an ambitious initiative to install ATMs in all inhabited islands by the end of 2025. This initiative aligns with the President’s pledge to provide ATM services in all inhabited islands of the Maldives, ensuring that all Maldivians have access to banking services and financial accessibility.

Currently, BML operates 150 ATMs across 90 islands. The bank aims to install ATMs in 17 additional islands by the end of March 2025.