Pres. pledges development for Maalhos; but projects yet to begin

More than a year and a half into his administration, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has yet to initiate any development projects in Maalhos island of Baa atoll, despite reaffirming his campaign promises during a recent visit to the island.

While touring Baa Atoll, the president met with residents of Maalhos and reiterated that “everything promised will be delivered.” He referenced several pressing and long-standing issues he committed to addressing during his presidential campaign, assuring the community that his government would act with "honesty, faith, and sincerity" in fulfilling those pledges.

Among the promises renewed was the long-awaited harbor development project, which the president described as a top priority. Yet, despite the rhetoric, no physical work has commenced on the ground, raising concerns among residents about the government’s commitment to action versus words.

Despite repeated assurances and the passage of significant time, development in Maalhos remains at a standstill, most notably the much-anticipated harbor project, which was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) over two years ago.

The project was officially handed over to MTCC on 1 March 2023, with a completion timeline of 18 months. However, as the current administration approaches its second year in office, the harbor remains incomplete, with little visible progress on the ground.

During a recent visit to Maalhos, President Muizzu sought to explain the delays. He told residents that a lack of large rocks, a key construction material, was to blame for the stalled harbor work, suggesting that this shortage has also halted other promised projects, including coastal erosion mitigation. He stated that efforts to resolve erosion and relocate the island’s powerhouse are contingent on the completion of the harbor, which he claimed remains a priority.

But for many in Maalhos, the explanations offer little comfort. The harbor project, which had already begun before President Muizzu took office, remains in limbo, with no clear timeline for completion. Residents are increasingly frustrated by the lack of follow-through on the president's campaign promises.

Muizzu also repeated a list of development pledges made during the 2023 presidential election, including initiatives in the sports sector, an outdoor gym, and solutions for flooding. He assured that these projects would begin this year, but given the delay in even a single major infrastructure project, skepticism is growing.

As time passes and promises remain on paper, questions continue to mount about the government's ability, or willingness, to deliver on its commitments to Maalhos.