President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the practical work on developing the airport in H.A. Dhidhdhoo will begin this year, and his next visit to the island will be on a plane landing at the airport to inaugurate it. Reclaiming land and developing an airport in Dhidhdhoo is one of President Dr. Muizzu’s campaign pledges. In line with this pledge, the development of Dhidhdhoo Airport was handed over to MTCC last year. Under this project, land will be reclaimed for the Dhidhdhoo Airport development, and the beach area will be protected.
During his ongoing trip to H.A. Atoll islands, President Dr. Muizzu visited Dhidhdhoo and met with the island’s residents. Speaking at the meeting, the President assured that fulfilling the promises made for the island’s development is his guarantee.
“I will fully fulfill every promise I made, God willing. First of all, I will mention the airport. The airport work is very important for the development of this island, and it’s also an important project in the medium and long-term development of this atoll, as well as in our regional development plan,” said the President regarding Dhidhdhoo, which is included in the urban centers designated by this government. The President also stated that building an airport on this island is necessary for regional development thinking, and it will be done.
The President said that many of the works have been arranged to begin now. He mentioned that some work has been assigned to MTCC, and a framework agreement has been signed with a foreign party, with many works already underway. The President stated that the Dhidhdhoo Airport work will begin this year along with land reclamation.
“Once the land reclamation is completed, we will start the shore protection, runway work, and airport building construction at a fast pace and complete it. Then, God willing, I will come to this island on a plane landing at that airport to inaugurate it,” said the President.
He also mentioned that he believes even those who are politically opposed to him will be among those who will buy tickets to travel from that airport.
“Development is brought equally for everyone. Political ideology is not important to me; all citizens are equal. So, the development that comes to this island should be equally available to those who differ from me politically. They should get it, they will get it,” the President said, stating that the development brought to the country and the island is not a political matter. He said it is serious work planned for the long-term future of children and grandchildren.
“All citizens supporting this is something they do for themselves. The mindset of those who see this as a political matter is, I think, not the right mindset for anyone who thinks about it from afar. What I’m doing is very serious work to do something important for the island’s residents and the country’s citizens,” the President has said.
President’s pledges for Dhidhdhoo:
1. Building a running track
2. Area for boat and dhoni work
3. Completing the harbor entrance issue along with the harbor
4. International standard football ground (will start this year)
5. New hospital building
6. 200 housing units
