MVR 4 million waste management center for Hirimaradhoo

Yesterday, a company was handed a project to build a waste management center in Hirimaradhoo, despite the island having been marked for relocation of residents to Hanimaadhoo.

206 projects for various islands worth around MVR 3 billion were awarded yesterday to private Maldivian companies. The project to build a waste management center in Hirimaradhoo has been handed to BuildTech Maldives for MVR 4.1 million.

While the project agreement has been signed, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced in the past that residents of Hirimaradhoo will be relocated to Hanimaadhoo within a year and a half.

During his visit to Haa Dhaalu Atoll in August, President Muizzu told Hirimaradhoo residents that housing and municipal services would be established in Hanimaadhoo for those who want to relocate, with the project being awarded to the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

While giving a speech at Hirimaradhoo, the President stated that for every plot of land in Hirimaradhoo, a house will be given to relocating residents in Hanimaadhoo, with the keys to the houses being handed over within 18 months. He also said that relocation is a choice and not a must.

"We will finish and hand over the houses within 18 months, a year and a half at the most. The plots will be given after they have been fully completed along with the keys. We will not make it mandatory for citizens to move, whether they want to take hold of the opportunity is completely up to them," said President Muizzu.

While it has been decided that people will be relocated, the Housing Ministry has halted efforts in giving plots in Hirimaradhoo.

As per a statement released by the Housing Ministry in late August, Hirimaradhoo residents who have received plots up until 24th August are entitled to plots in Hanimaadhoo. The ministry requested efforts such as house registry changes be ceased.

Hirimaradhoo has the smallest population out of the 13 inhabited islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. The island has a population of 293 as per the latest census, with 157 men and 136 women.