Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has said that the government has decided to carry out a housing project on Dhaandhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll. He made these remarks while speaking at the handover ceremony of 25 hectares of newly reclaimed land on Dhaandhoo to the island council.
With a population of more than 2,000, Dhaandhoo has already been dredged due to a lack of land for general social needs, and economic and industrial activities. However, the land needed for the development of the island became insufficient following the increase in population. Therefore, at the request of the island council and the residents, the government handed over the land reclamation project of Dhaandhoo to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) in 2020.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Aslam said at least 700 plots of land would be allocated on the 25 hectares of land. He said that the government is implementing projects to solve the housing problem. He also said the government would continue to conduct such projects in the coming year, including a housing programme for the residents of Dhaandhoo.
The government has spent USD 12.1 million from the state budget for the Dhaandhoo land reclamation project.