The government of Maldives decided to reclaim a portion of Dh. Bandidhoo's lagoon to transfer all fibre and similar work which cause difficulties for locals living on the island.
Speaking with Bandidhoo locals during his ongoing visit to the islands of Dhaalu atoll, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the government would reclaim the maximum possible area from the lagoon.
He said this project would be completed next year as it was not included in the 2025 budget.
“It is the hope of islanders here that land be reclaimed for work such as fibre work, which causes difficulties for the people, be moved there," the president said.
Dr. Muizzu also said that the current area where fibre work is done is a public area, which poses some dangers as well. Because of this, moving fibre work and the waste management site to that area is the plan, he added.
According to the president, along with the reclamation work, the government would also work protect the eroded area of the island.
“In practice, this will result in reclamation of land, and I will include a project to relocate the [fibre and waste] working places in this island [to the reclaimed area] in next year's budget,” he said.
Sharing the concerns of locals in Bandidhoo, Dr. Muizzu said that the people have also requested to replace the island's harbour's outer barrier to accommodate fishermen and smaller vessels.
He said it was a long-term investment, and that it would be done under next year's budget.
The President has also said that the school project, expansion of the health centre, and improving the facilities there would be included under this year's budget as well.