President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that the Fushidhiggaru lagoon will be developed as a "safe island" with a focus on climate adaptation.
Muizzu pledged during his presidential campaign to reclaim the Fushidhiggaru lagoon in the Greater Male' Region and provide 65,000 housing plots.
Speaking at a meeting with the people of Hulhumale' on Saturday, Muizzu said the project would be a top priority of his government.
He reiterated that the government's biggest commitment is to start the reclamation within the first two months and complete it within six months and a year.
“In the first year, hopefully, we can complete the reclamation. Revetment will be put in place for protection to have all the features of a safe island, at least three meters above sea level, and with a focus on climate adaptation," he said.
Fushidhiggaru lagoon covers an area of approximately 1,280 hectares. Muizzu's manifesto includes providing 11,970 plots of land and 26,500 housing units of three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments.
The reclamation and development of Fushidhiggaru lagoon was a pledge made by jailed opposition leader and former President Abdulla Yameen during the 2018 presidential election.
He planned to develop the region as Villimale' 2 with a population of around 300,000 people. The reclamation of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon was also included as part of the project.
Yameen opened the opportunity to apply for the project with only two conditions - be above the age of 18 and not have 1,000 square feet of land registered to your name.
