The project to relocate the people of Haa Dhaal Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo has been delayed.

In response to a Right to Information (RTI) request from Adhadhu, the Infrastructure Ministry blamed the Hanimaadhoo council for causing delays in allocating land for building housing for the families from Hirimaradhoo.

“It took many days for the council to officially hand over the land to the ministry after our request," the ministry said in its RTI response on February 12.

Even after the land allocation process, there are various administrative obstacles in determining how to deal with the trees on the land, the ministry said.

The government announced the decision to relocate the people of Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo on February 1 last year. The decision was taken at the request of the islanders.

The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) was awarded the project on August 24 last year during President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to the island.

The government said the project will be completed, and the houses will be handed over to the families within 18 months.

However, without knowing the project commencement and completion date, the government decided not to elect a council in Hirimaradhoo in the April 4 local councils election.

The government also declared that the people of Hirimaradhoo will vote to elect councillors for Hanimaadhoo.

Hanimaadhoo MP and interim Chairperson of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, alleged a presidential decree was issued to dissolve Hirimaradhoo council in an attempt to influence the upcoming vote.

Ghafoor said the government decided to abolish the Hirimaradhoo council because the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) will not get a majority in Hanimaadhoo.

He added that no law gives the President the power to relocate people to an island without building a place for them to live.

In a meeting with the islanders, Muizzu said a house will be built in Hanimaadhoo for each house in Hirimaradhoo, along with a financial incentive to the families. There are more than 150 houses in Hirimaradhoo.

According to the 2022 census, 260 people live in Hirimaradhoo. The island offers education up to grade 10 and participates in national-level competitions.