The Hanimaadhoo Island Council has criticised the government for disrupting essential services in Haa Dhaal Hirimaradhoo by withholding the island's budget from the Hanimaadhoo Council.
Following President Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to relocate the residents of Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo, the Hirimaradhoo Island Council was dissolved ahead of the recent local council elections. The residents of Hirimaradhoo were required to vote for representatives to the Hanimaadhoo Island Council.
Speaking to Adhadhu, Hanimaadhoo Council President Ali Ibrahim said that the council recently visited Hirimaradhoo to assess the situation firsthand and meet with residents. He noted that complaints from the community highlight delays in receiving funds for waste management services, various project bids, and payments for contracted works.
"There are about four employees still stationed in Hirimaradhoo. The government is not even paying their salaries. As a result, their most recent wages had to be covered by the Hanimaadhoo Council’s own budget," Ali said.
"The Hanimaadhoo Council budget cannot sustain all the expenses of another island. This is not something our own residents would accept, nor is it a feasible way to operate."
In a video posted to TikTok during the council’s visit to Hirimaradhoo yesterday, Vice President Firag Mohamed alleged that despite assurances that Hirimaradhoo’s budget would be transferred to Hanimaadhoo, the Local Government Authority (LGA) has yet to release the funds. He further claimed that despite a formal decree from the President’s Office, relevant institutions are failing to cooperate.
"The government has essentially sold the horse but kept the reins. They are withholding Hirimaradhoo’s budget while expecting Hanimaadhoo’s funds to cover all their expenses and staff salaries. This is simply not just," Firag said.
He added that Hanimaadhoo’s budget is insufficient to manage Hirimaradhoo’s affairs, stating that the burden of this situation is being borne by the residents of both islands. He challenged the government to issue a public statement or a tweet if these claims were untrue.
"A political move; everyone vanished after the election"
Describing the decision to relocate Hirimaradhoo residents as one of Muizzu’s most "reckless" actions, Firag noted that concerns were raised even then, as the move was initiated without any proper surveys.
He alleged that while the move was orchestrated for political gain at the time, those who spearheaded the initiative have disappeared now that the election is over, leaving the residents of Hirimaradhoo and the Hanimaadhoo Council to struggle with the consequences.
"The Hirimaradhoo Council used to manage the island’s cooking gas supply. Today, the residents are out of gas. The question is, are they expected to go without food and water?" he asked, highlighting the dire situation on the island.
Council President Ali added that in addition to the halt in gas supplies, the island’s Quran classes and preschool are on the verge of closing. He also pointed out that while Hanimaadhoo has announced local Quran and football competitions, the current circumstances leave Hirimaradhoo residents with no way to participate.
Both Ali and Firag maintained that the government’s ill-conceived decision has stripped Hirimaradhoo residents of their rights, leaving them abandoned and in a state of total uncertainty.
Despite the decision to relocate the population of Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo, the project has shown no progress. The government has yet to provide a definitive timeline for when the relocation will take place.
