President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has unveiled an ambitious development plan for Lhaviyani Naifaru, announcing the construction of 800 new housing units — double the number pledged in his presidential manifesto.
Speaking to residents during his visit to the island, the President said housing remains the most urgent issue facing Naifaru, one of the country’s most densely populated islands. He revealed that an agreement for 300 housing units had already been signed earlier in the day, with another 100 units to be contracted shortly. An additional 400 units are scheduled for 2027, bringing the total to 800 homes, most of which he pledged would be completed before the end of his current term.
President Muizzu also announced that road development on the island will be completed in a single phase, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure delivery.
Highlighting Naifaru’s growing importance as an emerging urban hub, the President revealed plans to reclaim 45 hectares of land to support sustainable development and address the island’s spatial constraints. He assured residents that the government would fully finance and expedite the reclamation project, ensuring no delays in implementation.
Turning to infrastructure, the President noted that Naifaru’s harbour—once the largest in the Maldives—would undergo major upgrading works to restore its status as the biggest in the northern region. An agreement for the harbour development was signed during his visit, and President Muizzu said the revamped facility would significantly benefit fishermen and local businesses.
In addition, the President announced several other key initiatives, including the development of a sports complex, slipway, and Islamic Centre. He also highlighted the government’s focus on education, revealing that an agreement to establish a Maldives National University (MNU) campus in Naifaru—part of his presidential pledges—had been signed earlier in the day. Plans are also underway to open a campus of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) along with a student dormitory, positioning Naifaru as a future education hub.
The island’s main school, among the oldest in the Maldives, will also see significant upgrades this year with the addition of 10 new classrooms and laboratories to enhance learning facilities.
In the health sector, President Muizzu announced that Naifaru Hospital will be expanded into a modern 50-bed facility. He also confirmed that a speech therapist would soon be stationed on the island as part of the Health Ministry’s national recruitment efforts.
As part of the upcoming upgrade, the hospital will soon introduce CT and MRI scanning services, expected to become operational within four months, aligning with the government’s plan to expand access to advanced medical diagnostics across the country.
