Following government's significant defeat in Maduvvari, land reclamation project comes to a standstill; excavator, seemingly "exhausted," retreats to shore and remains idle: Council president-elect

The newly elected President of the R. Maduvvari Island Council, Hussain Shiham, has stated that the land reclamation project launched ahead of the recent local council elections was merely a deceptive tactic to mislead the public. He further noted that the work was abruptly halted following the government's significant defeat in the elections.

Speaking to Raajje TV regarding the land reclamation project in Maduvvari, Shiham stated that an excavator was brought to the island just two days before the election, under the pretext of commencing harbor works. However, he noted that instead of harbor construction, the existing rock boulder breakwater—installed for coastal protection—was dismantled to begin laying a sandbed. Shiham further alleged that while campaign teams from the ruling PNC attempted to deceive residents by labeling this as the start of the land reclamation project, all work came to a complete standstill immediately after the election results were announced.

The President-elect noted that excavators remained operational throughout the polling period. However, as soon as voting concluded and the election results became clear, the machinery was halted and moved back to shore. Shiham remarked that once the results were in, the excavators appeared to have "grown tired" and retreated to land, remaining completely idle ever since. He stated that this clearly demonstrates the project was never launched with a sincere intention to serve the public.

Just two days before the election, an excavator was brought in, and we were informed that it was to commence work on the harbor. However, in what appeared to be an attempt to deceive the public just 48 hours before the polls, they breached the existing rock boulder breakwater—installed for coastal protection—to construct a sand bed. Some PNC campaign officials even claimed that land reclamation had begun, urging us to witness the government’s supposed benevolence and progress on the project. Yet, as the election concluded and the results came in, the excavator seemingly grew "tired." Since it was moved back onto land, it hasn't returned to work. We cannot accept that this project was initiated with sincere intentions or as a genuine service to our community.

Hussain Shiham, the President-elect of the R. Maduvvari Island Council.

Speaking on the potential environmental risks the project poses to the island, Shiham noted that because the protective breakwater has been breached, there is a serious threat of coastal erosion during the northeast monsoon. He warned that this could lead to tidal surges reaching residential homes and causing significant damage. He further highlighted that this issue remains a matter of grave concern for the local community.

Furthermore, Shiham revealed that no information regarding the commencement of such a large-scale project had been shared with the current council. He noted that despite the council holding a PNC majority and being supportive of the government, the council office had received no prior notification of the land reclamation. Consequently, he alleged that the initiative was orchestrated solely by the PNC campaign office.

In the recent local council elections, the residents of Maduvvari delivered a resounding rejection of the government. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured a majority on the council, while the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) managed to win only a single seat. Furthermore, through the polling results, the people of Maduvvari have clearly demonstrated a lack of support for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration.