President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the airport being developed in Mathiveri will generate significant benefits across the tourism industry. He made the remarks while addressing the community of AA. Mathiveri during his ongoing tour of the inhabited islands of North Ari Atoll.
At a community meeting, an agreement was signed with Maldives Airports Development Company Limited (MACL) to reclaim land and develop and operate an airport at Mathiveri. The President noted that, in addition to the land designated for the airport, a further 26.5 hectares will be reclaimed for community use to support a range of developmental and public initiatives.
Describing the project as commercially viable and fully feasible, the President assured that, including land reclamation and full infrastructure development, the airport would be completed and operational within two and a half years.
Addressing health and education, the President confirmed that the school project will be completed in time for the start of the new academic year. Regarding the Health Centre, he noted that while substantial progress has been made, the project is facing delays. He assured that work would be reassigned to another contractor to ensure timely completion and pledged to expand the facility and upgrade its services.
The President further announced that the road development project for Mathiveri will be included in next year’s budget, with construction scheduled to commence in the same year. He also confirmed that the development of a handball court has been slated for this year.
At the meeting, previously contested land in the Mathiveri Tourism Zone was officially handed over to the Island Council. The President also clarified that there are no restrictions on developing a city hotel on the sandbank designated as part of Mathiveri.
Turning to governance matters, the President addressed recent amendments to the Decentralisation Act, noting that future reforms will include changes to the composition of Women’s Development Committees. He also announced plans to submit constitutional amendments, highlighting that in the upcoming local elections, voters will no longer cast ballots for atoll councils.
