President Muizzu Announces Land Reclamation and Shoreline Protection for Alifu Alifu Ukulhas

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that work to reclaim an additional two hectares of land in Alifu Alifu Ukulhas will begin this month. The initiative aims to tackle the island's chronic housing shortage and protect its vulnerable shoreline from erosion. Speaking at a rally in Ukulhas, President Muizzu stated that these efforts are part of a phased development plan to fulfill pledges made to the community. In addition to the new reclamation, shoreline protection work is scheduled to commence within the next two weeks, following the completion of a mandatory environmental impact assessment. Ukulhas, which has a population of over 1,200 people, has faced severe land constraints for decades. No new residential plots have been allocated on the island for more than 25 years, leaving many families without land of their own. While 13 hectares were reclaimed in 2023—adding to the island's original 21-hectare size—demand continues to outpace availability. During his visit, the President met with the island council and the Women’s Development Committee. The council urged the administration to provide essential water, sewerage, and electricity services to the newly reclaimed areas, and requested the construction of new roads to integrate the expanded land into the island's infrastructure. Councillors also highlighted challenges in securing land needed to expand the island's powerhouse to meet growing energy demands. The President noted that these projects are part of a broader national strategy to restore the economy and improve living standards across the Maldives. He emphasized that the government is balancing infrastructure growth with the needs of the local tourism sector, which is a primary economic driver for Ukulhas. Beyond land reclamation, the government has already begun constructing 50 new housing units on the island. These units, combined with the upcoming land allocation from the two-hectare expansion, are intended to provide long-term residential stability for the community.