President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has participated in a series of ceremonies held in Dhuvaafaru, North Maalhosmadulu, to inaugurate and commence several development projects aimed at improving public services and infrastructure on the island.
During the visit, the President inaugurated the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) ATM service in R. Dhuvaafaru. The service forms part of a nationwide initiative led by the President to establish ATM facilities across all inhabited islands of the Maldives, enhancing access to essential banking services.
The President also inaugurated the first fuel skid established to provide fuel at reduced prices for fishermen. The facility, implemented by the State Trading Organisation (STO), is the first in a series of fuel skids planned for installation across various regions of the country. The initiative addresses longstanding concerns raised by fishermen regarding fuel affordability and availability.
He also participated in a ceremony marking the commencement of practical work to address space constraints at the Dhuvaafaru harbour. The project is intended to enhance harbour capacity and improve operational efficiency.
President Dr Muizzu further took part in a ceremony to commence practical work on the construction of a Police station in Dhuvaafaru. The establishment of Police services in all inhabited islands is a priority policy of the current Administration, with the development of purpose-built police facilities representing the largest infrastructure initiative undertaken by the Government for the Maldives Police Service to date.
At a ceremony attended by the President in the reclaimed land area of Dhuvaafaru, agreements were signed for the third phase of road development works and for the establishment of water and sewerage services. An agreement was also signed for the construction of 50 housing units on the island. The "Irun Hakatha" (Solar Energy) programme was also inaugurated, contributing to the national target of generating 33 per cent of electricity from renewable energy sources by the end of 2026. The programme is expected to reduce diesel consumption and lower harmful emissions.
The President further participated in a ceremony marking the commencement of practical work for the second phase of the Dhuvaafaru land reclamation project.
As part of efforts to enhance daily mobility and connectivity, he inaugurated the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) bus service in Dhuvaafaru.
The President also participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new hospital building, which will upgrade the Dhuvaafaru Health Centre into a fully-fledged hospital with a theatre complex. The project forms part of the Administration's broader efforts to decentralise healthcare services and reduce reliance on Malé for specialised medical treatment. To further strengthen healthcare service delivery on the island, the President inaugurated a newly constructed building at the Dhuvaafaru Health Centre. The facility includes a modern emergency room, X-ray, dental and ultrasound services, expanding the range of medical services available to residents.
Highlighting the Administration's focus on social development, the President attended ceremonies marking the commencement of practical work on an outdoor volleyball court and the signing of an agreement for the establishment of a sports complex in Dhuvaafaru. He also participated in the initiation of upgrade works for the waste and resource management centre on the island.
The President additionally attended a ceremony to mark the commencement of practical work on the hostel building for The Maldives National University (MNU). The project is part of the Administration's broader initiative to establish hostel facilities across four regions of the Maldives, expanding access to higher education for students who must travel to other islands to pursue programmes not available in their home islands. By enabling students to reside affordably with family members, the initiative addresses the challenges of relocation for study and provides a more conducive environment for learning.
During the visit, the President is also scheduled to attend the official Fishermen's Day ceremony and related commemorative activities taking place in Dhuvaafaru.
The President is accompanied on the visit by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, along with Cabinet Ministers and senior officials from key Government institutions.