President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the long-awaited sewerage project for Noonu Manadhoo will commence this August.

The project, intended to address a long-standing issue for residents, will be implemented alongside the island’s road development works, with both projects expected to be completed by 2027.

During a community meeting held in Manadhoo as part of his tour of Noonu Atoll, the President stated that a complete overhaul of the current sewerage system was necessary to bring lasting improvements.

In the health sector, the President confirmed that development of Manadhoo Hospital is ongoing, with the recruitment of specialist medical professionals also underway. He acknowledged that healthcare differs from other public projects in that it has a direct, personal impact on people's lives.

On sports infrastructure, the President stated that obstacles previously delaying the development of the multi-sports complex have been resolved, and that the project will now proceed as scheduled. He further announced plans to build a dedicated volleyball court as part of efforts to expand community sports facilities.

The President also announced education sector upgrades, noting that administrative work is underway to establish a campus of the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) on the island, in recognition of Manadhoo’s growing academic community.

Additionally, a direct RTL ferry service between Manadhoo and Un’goofaaru is scheduled to begin in November 2025, aimed at improving inter-island connectivity.

Addressing the ongoing housing shortage, President Dr Muizzu said the challenge cannot be resolved within a single year. However, he assured residents that a multi-year plan combining housing construction and a loan scheme will provide long-term solutions.

The community meeting also included the inauguration of passport services, supporting the Government’s ongoing initiative to decentralise passport and national ID card services.

As part of his visit, President Dr Muizzu also met with members of the Manadhoo Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions to review the island’s development needs.

During the discussions, Council members raised key concerns, particularly the need to strengthen the health sector by expanding services to include physiotherapy, psychiatric care, and speech therapy. They also called for renewed attention to the stalled harbour project, citing challenges with the channel, access for the elderly, and the outer jetty built in the lagoon.

Other priorities raised included the development of youth sports facilities, delays in establishing a police station, and infrastructure issues such as the island’s drainage system, which they said must be addressed to enable road construction and broader infrastructure upgrades.

The President assured that the Government would review the issues raised and work on practical solutions. Updates on ongoing development projects were also shared by cabinet ministers and representatives of state-owned enterprises present at the meeting.