Government to provide basic services as long as people reside in Hirimaradhoo: Heena

President's Office Spokesperson Heena Waleed today stated that the government will continue to provide basic services in H. Dh. Hirimaradhoo for as long as people reside there, even though the decision has been made to relocate residents to another island.

This statement comes after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced plans to empty Hirimaradhoo and relocate the residents to H. Dh. Hanimaadhoo within the next year and a half. Following this announcement, the government recently awarded a contract to build a Waste Management Centre in Hirimaradhoo.

The contract for the MVR 4.1 million project in Hirimaradhoo was awarded to a company named Buildtech last Thursday, as part of a larger initiative of 206 projects worth approximately MVR 3 billion across various islands.

However, the decision to undertake a major project in an island designated for depopulation drew significant criticism. In response, Heena told "Mihaaru News" that the government is obligated to provide basic services to Hirimaradhoo residents for as long as they live there. When questioned whether implementing such a project in an island scheduled for depopulation in the near future would constitute wasteful spending, Heena declined to give a specific answer.

During his visit to H. Dh. Atoll islands last August, President Muizzu announced that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) would be tasked with providing the necessary housing and municipal services in Hanimaadhoo for Hirimaradhoo residents within 18 months.

At the time, the President stated that every household with land in Hirimaradhoo would receive a home in Hanimaadhoo, and the keys would be handed over within 18 months. However, he stressed that no one would be forced to relocate against their will.

Following the relocation announcement, the issuance of land plots in Hirimaradhoo was halted.

An announcement by the Housing Ministry in late August stated that individuals who had been allotted land in Hirimaradhoo by August 24 would be eligible for a land plot in Hanimaadhoo. Consequently, residents were advised against processes such as changing house registration.

Hirimaradhoo has the smallest population among the 13 inhabited islands in H. Dh. Atoll. According to the latest census, the resident population is 293 - 157 males and 136 females.