Union slams prioritizing Fushidhiggaru over Hulhumale as unjust to residents

On Tuesday, the union advocating for the rights of Hulhumale Phase III landowners stated that the government's decision to dredge Fushidhiggaru lagoon, instead of completing the Hulhumale Phase III housing project initiated by the previous administration, constitutes an injustice to the populace.

During a press conference held by the union on Tuesday, attorney Ali Hussain asserted that the dredging of Hulhumale's third phase ceased upon the current government's ascension. He noted that despite the introduction of a new dredger on the eve of parliamentary elections and a seeming resumption of work, proper dredging has not been consistently maintained to date.

The union has additionally accused the government of neglecting the Uthuru Thila Falhu and Giravaru lagoon acquisition projects.

"We contend that the dredging of Hulhumale Phase III should be expedited. The stipulated one-year deadline for completing the dredging and land handover has now elapsed. Consequently, prioritizing the Fushidhiggaru lagoon over this project represents a significant injustice to the public," the union stated.

Ali Hussain emphasized that these projects are integral to the aspirations of numerous individuals residing in the Male' area, adding that investments in alternative projects would adversely impact both the population and the economy.

The union has urged for the prompt dredging and handover of the land, even in the absence of water and sewerage networks. Furthermore, the union has requested that dredging operations in Fushidhiggaru lagoon be suspended until the Hulhumale land is allocated.

The union also estimated that the dredging of Uthuru Thila Falhu, Giraavaru lagoon, and Hulhumale Phase Three would incur a maximum cost of USD 60 million.

In March, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) announced its objective to conclude all dredging work by the preceding month. However, the corporation has yet to confirm the completion of these works.

Capital Marine and Civil Construction (CMCC) was awarded the contract for dredging a total of 63 hectares of land within the Hulhumale lagoon.

The project experienced a temporary suspension last year following a public announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandating a halt to dredging due to an increase in coral bleaching in the vicinity. At that juncture, 23 hectares of land had been dredged.

The project subsequently recommenced after the EPA granted permission to resume on June 25 of the previous year. Nevertheless, work was interrupted again a few days later.

Since then, the HDC reported in March that a total of 24 hectares of land had been dredged from Phase Three.

The HDC previously stated that the project's dredging was delayed due to alterations in the project's scope, and that these modifications were under discussion with the contractor.

The Binnveriyaa scheme, introduced by the government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, outlined plans to allocate land to Male' residents from Hulhumale Phase II and Phase III, as well as from Gulhi and Giraavaru lagoons.