Construction of 400 housing units in Kulhudhuffushi City, initiated by previous administration, comes to a standstill

The Mayor of Kulhudhuffushi City, Mohamed Athif, has stated that the 400-housing unit project initiated by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration has come to a complete standstill.

In an interview with RaajjeTV, the Mayor highlighted that the continued stagnation of the project has raised significant concerns among the public.

The project was awarded for MVR 440 million, with site mobilization commencing in December 2022 and a scheduled completion timeline of 540 days.

Mayor Athif stated that by the end of the previous administration's term, foundation work for three towers of the project had been completed, and pillar installation for several housing units was already underway. However, he noted that all progress on the project has come to a standstill since the change of government.

The 400-housing unit project commences in Kulhudhuffushi City. | Raajje MV

Athif stated that during a meeting between the Council and the Ministry of Housing regarding the stalled project, the Ministry confirmed that the contract would be terminated if the contractor failed to resume work.

However, during a meeting with the council, the contractor reported that the project has faced significant obstacles due to the government's failure to release the necessary funds.

Construction begins on 400 housing units in Kulhudhuffushi City. | Raajje MV

The Mayor stated that it is the government's responsibility to facilitate a way forward for this project, adding that these concerns have already been shared with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Regarding this issue, the Mayor noted that although President Muizzu handed over the project to HDC during his 2025 visit to Kulhudhuffushi, no physical work has commenced on the site. Athif further clarified that despite government officials circulating photos on social media during the council election campaign—purportedly showing a landing craft arriving in Kulhudhuffushi with project materials—these claims were fabricated, and no such supplies have been delivered to the island.

Furthermore, the Mayor noted that although the current administration laid the foundation for an additional 2,000 housing units while the previous project remained stalled, no progress has been made on that work to date.

He stated that the lack of physical progress on projects, two and a half years after they were awarded, is a source of immense frustration for the people of Kulhudhuffushi.