Magoodhoo Airport to be completed by September 2026

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has assured the residents of F. Magoodhoo that Magoodhoo Airport will be finished by September next year.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration handed the project to MTCC on 10th August 2023, close to the end of the term. However, the project came to a halt early last year, resulting in Magoodhoo residents protesting over the matter.

Today, President Muizzu met with Magoodhoo residents in order to provide clarity to the concerns they hold. 

As the floor opened, Magoodhoo Council President Abdulla Waheed began his speech by stating that the island had its provincial powers seized, with the residents being plunged into a state of poverty.

"Everything was taken from the island. The 40 people who came out in defiance were put into jail. If these residents didn't do what they did, Magoodhoo wouldn't be what it is today," said Waheed while expressing concern.

In order to not see such a day occur and to not experience such times, Waheed requested that the construction of Magoodhoo Airport continue and be finished as soon as possible.

A resident who was sent to jail that day said that the airport that was meant for Magoodhoo was finalized to be built at Nilandhoo in October 2014 which was said by Nilandhoo City Council.

The resident requested that the administration show and confirm whether an airport was to be built in Faafu Atoll before Magoodhoo.

The biggest argument presented by the Magoodhoo residents was the airport work having been brought to a halt. They said that in light of past experiences, they still harbor fear that the airport won't be finished.

The residents stated that 80 percent of the work has been finished and that it wouldn't take that long for it to be fully done. They even said that they have the manpower and the supplies to do so.

"We fear that we may revert to our previous state once the Nilandhoo airport is finished. We request Magoodhoo Airport be finished before Nilandhoo Airport. If not, we don't believe that construction of Magoodhoo Airport would finish at all," as was said by a Magoodhoo resident while addressing President Muizzu.

With a population of 1,013, Magoodhoo residents repeatedly requested a deadline of the airport.

After listening to Magoodhoo residents' concerns, President Muizzu stated that if he makes a promise he is the type of individual that sticks to it.

He went on to say that the airport will be finished without interruption and that he would figure out as to why the project came to a standstill.

"We conduct these conferences with councils, ministries and with residents because we want to know what you want for yourselves. You have complete freedom to express yourself," said President Muizzu as he was addressing Magoodhoo's residents

"This is of great concern to the island. Many such things have also happened in the past here."

The President said that project holders MTCC and the Construction Ministry will work to finish the airport as soon as possible.

"If Magoodhoo is the only island that MTCC had to worry about, then it would be done within four months. But as it stands, it can be done within a year. It can be done by next September," said President Muizzu.

The President gave his assurance that if MTCC were to work on the airport, then it can be finished much earlier.

"We come to discuss with residents in order to do things for you and finish them. But sometimes, plans get delayed. I do things just as I promise them to be," the President stated.

"No resident is above another to me. Everyone is equal. Even if our political ideologies differ, everyone is equal to me. In national thinking and patriotic thinking. No project would even begin if there were no way for it to move forward."

President Muizzu addressed the residents of F. Nilandhoo last night, stating that the Nilandhoo Airport will be completed within 30 months or 2 and a half years. MACL has also been handed the civil and operational work of the airport.