President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assured farmers that Government policies will protect their livelihoods, emphasising that imports by the State Trading Organisation (STO) will not threaten their income.

Speaking during the community meeting as part of his tour of inhabited islands in four atolls, the President described Thaa Kan’doodhoo as a key centre of agricultural production, especially chilli cultivation. He pledged that STO would adopt a system to guarantee fair profits for farmers and announced that a technical team from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare will be sent to the island to help address cultivation challenges, cut production costs, and maximise returns. He further underlined that even if STO imports chilli products, this would be done in a way that benefits local farmers, including through direct purchasing arrangements.

On development, the President addressed concerns over the stalled water and sewerage project, explaining the reasons for the delay and confirming that the Government is weighing whether to terminate the existing contract or hand over the project to Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). He pledged swift progress on upgrades to the health centre, announced that work to expand school facilities and laboratories would begin within four months, and confirmed that a new police station will be established to strengthen public services.

President Dr Muizzu also highlighted plans to enhance community facilities, including improvements to the island’s sports grounds and the establishment of a fitness and recreation centre. He added that Kan’doodhoo would be connected to the nationwide RTL ferry services.

At the meeting, agreements were signed for the construction of a dedicated harbour jetty, a land reclamation project, and the development of the island’s roads. The contracts were formalised by senior officials from the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), and the Road Development Corporation (RDC).