Adhadhu has learnt that the hospital and airport promised for Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo island are not included in this year's state budget.
This year's budget does not include individual projects for islands. The budget book shows the expenditure on the main areas of the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP). The PSIP budget for 2025 is MVR 12.4 billion.
Reliable sources have provided Adhadhu with a list of projects planned for Dhidhdhoo. It does not include the major projects promised by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Muizzu's pledges for Dhidhdhoo during the presidential election
- Build an airport after reclaiming the land
- Develop roads as requested by the people
- Establish sports facilities for youth
- Construct a modern football stadium for international matches
- Improve the quality of the hospital
He reiterated these pledges during a visit to Dhidhdhoo ahead of the parliamentary elections in 2024.
“I will hopefully fulfill all the promises I made,” Muizzu said on February 25, 2024.
Muizzu highlighted Dhidhdhoo hospital as the top priority.
“Hopefully, a new hospital building will be constructed to improve the services for the people of this island and the entire atoll,” he said.
However, this year's PSIP budget does not include the development of Dhidhdhoo hospital. Adhadhu can also confirm that land reclamation and airport development for Dhidhdhoo are also not included in the PSIP.
Although land reclamation is not in the PSIP budget, the project was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) in 2023 by the former government. Satellite images show an area reclaimed near the island.
Dhidhdhoo council president Abdulla Rasheed told Adhadhu that the authorities had not shared any information about the land reclamation project with the island council.
But he said the land reclamation will start when the harbour construction is complete.
PSIP Budget - Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo
- Harbour Construction: MVR 2.04 million
- Road Construction: MVR 21.3 million
- Educational Center Office and 12 classrooms: MVR 4.5 million
- Stairs and lighting at football stadium: MVR 215,639
- Establishment of Junior College: MVR 11.3 million
- Outdoor gym installation: MVR 23,490
Out of the total PSIP budget of MVR 12.4 billion, MVR 964 million has been allocated for the health sector. MVR 2.4 billion has been allocated for the construction of airports.
President Muizzu is on a tour of the atolls and is scheduled to visit Dhidhdhoo this week.
