As the whole country faced a worsening housing crisis, the people of Baa Eydhafushi were promised a dream like no other. The promise of modern towers and hundreds of flats was expected to improve the quality of life of the islanders.
The former presidential candidate of the People's National Congress (PNC), Mohamed Muizzu, claimed Eydhafushi would be one of the islands with the highest number of new housing units in the Maldives.
However, two years after assuming office and two years after signing the promised project agreement, the people of Eydhafushi are trapped in a delusion, with just MoUs and ceremonies.
The project dates back to May 2024 when the first MoU was signed with China’s Sinohydro. Six months later, in November 2024, the project agreement was signed again. Why is an agreement for the same project being signed over and over again, but there is no work for ground quality check or lay a single brick to begin it?
The project includes twelve 15-storey towers. These include 336 three-bedroom flats and 672 two-bedroom flats. However, funding was not arranged when the project agreement was signed.
"These things are not going to be a reality. The government wants to sell delusions and win votes," a PNC member from Eydhafushi said on condition of anonymity due to his position.
In November 2024, Construction Minister Abdulla Muththalib expressed hopes to secure funds for the project in 2025. But more than a year later, funding has not been secured and the project remains on papers. This show the government's incompetence in planning major projects.
In a visit to Eydhafushi in August 2025, Muizzu said the project will begin in 2025.
“We have signed a 1,000 housing unit project in this island. A lot of work has been done for that. The most important message I want to give you tonight is that the project will start this year and the project will be delivered to you as promised within this term," he announced.
"So we will start the 1,000 housing unit project this year. When we start, we may have to divide it into different parts, batches or phases. However, we will start the 1,000 housing unit project this year."
The government has blamed local councils of some islands for delays in starting projects. But Eydhafushi island council President Mohamed Fathih said the towers were included in the land use plan and that land had already been allocated.
The government speaks about such housing projects during elections. Projects worth MVR 2.7 billion were distributed during the campaign. They include a project to build 75 housing units in Eydhafushi. So some people of Eydhafushi believe Muizzu's housing towers promise will remain a pipe dream.
“The practical work of 75 housing units has also not started yet,” an islander said.
