Efforts to establish Lhosalafushi as an extension of Kurendhoo

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has revealed plans to reclaim state ownership of the island of Lhosalafushi, located near Lhaviyani atoll Kurendhoo. The aim is to incorporate Lhosalafushi as an extension of Kurendhoo, facilitating the necessary land expansion for housing and developmental purposes.

During his one-day tour across Lhaviyani atoll that began this morning, the President made his first stop at Kurendhoo. In his address to the residents, he said that the biggest issue faced by the island is the shortage of available land.

He highlighted that the development of the island is significantly obstructed as a result and noted that the island's lagoon also lacks the necessary amount of space.

“Land can be reclaimed, but I do not see it as the [most appropriate] solution,” President Muizzu said.

President Muizzu said his vision is to establish the neighboring Lhosalafushi as an extension of the Kurendhoo. However, he added that this would not be an easy task.

"Many agreements related to this island were made by the Ministry where I had served in a ministerial position as well. Therefore, as I had previously said in the council meeting, the island will be removed from all these agreements and returned to state ownership through existing procedures, ensuring minimal harm to the state," the President said.

“I will do everything in my power to separate the island and arrange Lhosalafushi as a part of Kurendhoo.”

The President emphasized that pursuing this vision will facilitate the development of Kurendhoo and its constituency, ensuring benefits for future generations.

Lhosalafushi was previously awarded to India's TATA Housing company for the development of luxury housing villas during the first administration of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). An agreement was made with the company to construct housing flats on the land that housed the old Arabiyya School, Gaakoshi, ODEON, and the Naadhee Building.

The previous administration under President Abdulla Yameen annulled this agreement due to the failure to commence construction on the lands of ODEON and Naadhee Building, as stipulated in the original agreement. The decision led to a change of Lhosalafushi into a resort project, subject to a new agreement with a predetermined duration for its completion.

During the former administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Ministry of Housing most recently announced a change in this decision. A new agreement was signed with TATA Housing to construct luxury villas on a portion of the island's land, with the intention of generating USD 9 million for the state.