President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced on Saturday that a long-awaited land reclamation project for Vaavu Keyodhoo will commence early next year.

Speaking during his tour of inhabited islands in four atolls, the President described the project as essential for the island’s development and confirmed its inclusion in next year’s national budget.

During a meeting with Keyodhoo residents, agreements were signed to build a new health centre and a four-storey school building. The health centre will have a 20-bed capacity, while the school expansion will provide larger halls, more open space, and improved facilities. Central air-conditioning will also resolve the school’s ongoing electricity issues.

Highlighting the island’s growing appeal as a domestic tourism hub, President Dr Muizzu pledged to install a US-dollar ATM by March 2026.

As part of the visit, the foundation stone for the new Council Secretariat was also laid, marking another step in Keyodhoo’s broader development plan.