Rakeedhoo relocation depends on 80% support, says president

President Mohamed Muizzu has said that residents of V. Rakeedhoo will be relocated only if more than 80 percent of the population supports the move.

Speaking during his visit to the island on Saturday, the President stated that the Local Government Ministry and the island council would jointly organise a poll or seek the views of residents to decide whether they wished to move to another island.

According to the latest census, Rakeedhoo has a population of 76, most of whom are elderly. At present, 61 people live on the island. During the meeting with the President, some residents expressed interest in relocating to islands near Malé, including K. Thulusdhoo.

The President said relocation cannot proceed with only 50 percent approval and must instead have the support of at least 80 percent of the population. He added that the views of Rakeedhoo residents living outside the island would also be taken into account.

He assured that guesthouse tourism businesses already established in the island would not be halted if residents decide to relocate.

“When the government relocates people from one island to another, any active tourism businesses will be considered,” President Muizzu said. “We will look for a formula that allows guesthouses to continue operating. There will be no policy that forces business owners to close down and leave the island.”