Mayor: Hulhumale’ lagoon picked for reclamation does not belong to Urbanco

The Hulhumale’ lagoon area which is set to be reclaimed to provide housing does not fall within the jurisdiction of Urbanco, states Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

A senior government official told Sun last Wednesday that the government has decided to reclaim the Hulhumale’ lagoon area from Farukolhufushi to Phase I, and has tasked Urbanco with the necessary administrative work.

The official said most of the reclaimed land will be designated for residential use, including to build flats and issue land.

Muizzu said Thursday that while reclaiming land to provide basic needs such as housing is a good thing, it must be done in line with rules and regulations.

He said that the lagoon area in question does not fall within the jurisdiction of Urbanco, but that of the city council.

According to the original masterplan for Hulhumale’, the area in question had been picked to develop a cruise terminal. Muizzu said the decision to reclaim the area for housing therefore violates the masterplan.

“Such unplanned major projects must be carried out by making the necessary amendments to the masterplan in accordance with the international best practice and the laws and regulations of Maldives,” he said.

Muizzu said the project is being carried out in violation of the Decentralization Act, without consulting with the city council.

He said the city council will support projects carried out for the betterment of the people of Male’ as long as they are carried out in accordance with the laws and regulations of Maldives.

An official from Urbanco told Sun on Wednesday that the company is engaged in discussions with the government regarding reclaiming land in Hulhumale’, but that a decision has yet to be finalized.

There are multiple housing projects underway in Phase I and Phase II of Hulhumale’. The government has also pledged to issue land from Phase II to residents of Male’.

Hulhumale’ is an artificial island that was developed during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration. Phase II was reclaimed during the administration of his brother, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.