Haalu Kihineh?: Lack of progress on water and sewerage project remains primary concern for Dhonfanu residents

Residents of B. Dhonfanu have expressed deep concern over stalled development projects, the rising cost of living, and persistent difficulties in accessing essential medicines.

Every citizen interviewed for RaajjeTV’s "Haalu Kihineh?" program shared their pressing concerns. Specifically, residents of Dhonfanu expressed frustration over the stalled water and sewerage project, noting that while 80 percent of the work was completed under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, progress has since come to a standstill.

According to local residents, every household is forced to maintain its own private septic junction. They further noted that the task of clearing these systems must be outsourced to third parties, incurring significant personal expenses.

"We are bathing in contaminated water; in fact, we have been using sewage-tainted water for nearly 30 years. When we were much younger, a group of us local youths took water samples to the then-Ministry of Health for testing, and even back then, the results confirmed the presence of fecal matter. Think of how many years have passed since that discovery."

A resident of Dhonfanu

Residents of Dhonfanu have asserted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu personally pledged to reclaim land on the island to address its housing crisis. Speaking to the press, locals further contended that the President was untruthful in his claim that the project was halted at the request of the island's community.

He personally pledged to undertake the land reclamation project. He visited the island, and the project was even officially awarded; however, complications later arose due to external pressures. It was not the residents of Dhonfanu who initiated this request.

A resident of Dhonfanu

Furthermore, a businessman from Dhonfanu noted that the prices of goods increase with every shipment brought from Male'. He also shared specific details regarding the price fluctuations of several essential items.

Residents of Dhonfanu have voiced concerns over a persistent shortage of essential medicines, noting that the issue is mirrored across other islands. Locals reported that many medications are frequently unavailable even in the capital, Male', forcing them to source prescriptions from abroad since President Muizzu assumed office. Furthermore, the island's residents expressed growing alarm over the rising cost of living, specifically highlighting the continuous increase in their monthly electricity bills.

Residents have characterized the allocation of 500 hectares of land in Ras Male' to the Eagle Hills company as a project aimed at settling Jews in the Maldives. Every resident has voiced their concerns, stating that they do not accept the continuation of this project.