Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has said construction work on planned housing units for residents of Haa Dhaalu Hirimaradhoo in Hanimaadhoo has not yet begun, with no start date confirmed so far.

During a visit to northern islands in August last year, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visited Hirimaradhoo and pledged that housing and municipal services required by residents would be provided from nearby Hanimaadhoo within one and a half years.

An HDC media official said land allocated for the housing project has already been cleared, but the timeline for the start of physical construction remains undecided.

At the time, President Muizzu said each household with land in Hirimaradhoo would be provided with a home in Hanimaadhoo, and that keys would be handed over within 18 months. He also said relocation would not be mandatory.

Following the government’s relocation plans, land allocation in Hirimaradhoo has been suspended.

Residents of Hirimaradhoo also participated in last month’s local council elections under the Hanimaadhoo constituency, meaning the island currently has no separate council representation.

Hirimaradhoo is the least populated inhabited island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll. According to the latest census, the island has a population of 293 people, including 157 men and 136 women.