Hinnavaru residents have been given renewed hope for faster and more comprehensive development, as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced a wide-ranging set of projects aimed at transforming the island’s infrastructure and services.

During a community meeting held as part of his ongoing visit to Lhaviyani Atoll, President Dr Muizzu revealed that a project to develop 100 housing units in Hinnavaru will be included in next year’s national budget. The initiative will address housing shortages on one of the most densely populated islands.

Emphasising the need for swift and efficient progress, the President assured residents that the housing development would move forward alongside upgrades to water, electricity, and sewerage systems. He further announced that the stalled housing project, previously delayed due to contractual issues, would be reassigned to a new contractor to ensure timely completion.

In addition to housing, President Dr Muizzu revealed plans to expand essential services, confirming that a Bank of Maldives branch in Hinnavaru will open in March next year. Within five months, he said, every inhabited island in the Maldives will have its own branch.

Several projects were launched in Hinnavaru as part of the President’s visit, including a new Police Station, Council Secretariat, and a Fitness and Recreation Centre. He also inaugurated the Fenaka facility in the island. Agreements were also formalised to develop a Maldives National University campus and a dental clinic on the island, as well as a water and sewerage system for reclaimed land, and construct a new building for the Atoll Education Centre.

Speaking about infrastructure, President Dr Muizzu highlighted the ongoing road development efforts and announced plans to import additional machinery to allow simultaneous work across multiple islands. He added that Hinnavaru’s harbour will be expanded to accommodate vessels on the outer wall, improving accessibility and resilience, while waste management operations will be handed over to the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) within three months.