President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has acknowledged that Villimalé was neglected during the 12 years in which he held significant authority over the island.

He made this admission on Sunday night during a gathering with Villimalé residents, his first meeting with the community in the two years since his election.

The president said he intends to complete all tasks that past governments failed to deliver for Villimalé over this long period, and to go beyond that. He added that Villimalé is part of Malé City and that development should reach all Malé residents equally.

Muizzu conceded that Villimalé had indeed been neglected, despite his extensive influence over the district for more than a decade.

He previously served as Minister of Housing during the administrations of former presidents Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan and Abdulla Yameen.

At the time, with the Malé City Council under an MDP majority, all municipal matters and development projects in Malé fell under the control of the Ministry of Housing, operating directly under Muizzu’s supervision.

Before becoming president, he also served as Mayor of Malé City, during which all Villimalé-related matters continued to be handled under his direct oversight. Even now, after assuming the presidency, issues affecting Villimalé remain managed through the relevant ministries and institutions.

Throughout this entire period, the council member representing Villimalé belonged to Muizzu’s party, and the current council member is also affiliated with the PNC.

By acknowledging that Villimalé had been neglected, the president effectively admitted that, despite his own authority and power, he failed to meet the needs of the island’s residents.