With airport project, Hanimaadhoo's economy comes alive

HDh. Hanimaadhoo island council has revealed that with the commencement of the $136.6 million (MVR 2.1 billion) project to develop the island's airport, there has been an increase in demand for land in the island.

India's JMC Exports Company, which was awarded the hanimaadhoo airport expansion project, started work on the project on 18January. Under a loan from Exim Bank of India, the project is as follows:

When asked about the progress of the project, President of Hanimaadhoo Council Abdul Sattar Hassan said that work is currently underway to clean up the airport expansion area and build accommodation blocks for staff. He added that some equipment for the project was being brought to the island now. 

Abdul Sattar said that although a large number of materials have been brought to the Maldives for the project, it is difficult to unload the equipment for the project to the island due to the lack of port facilities in the island.

"Due to lack of embankments, we can't get close to most of the things. That's why we have to bring it in parts. Kulhudhuffushi Port already has a lot of material stuck of the project. There is no other solution yet," Abdul Sattar said.

Abdul Sattar said that with the commencement of the project, some youth from the island have now got jobs in the line. He added that some youngsters are now working on the project to clean up the area for the airport and other logistics work.

He also said that the income of the general businesses in the island has also started improving as people who have come from outside to carry out the project have started seeking services from some businesses in the island.

"When such a big project comes, the income of businesses improve on average. They are trading with the island’s business people for supply and other things," Abdul Sattar said.

One of the major changes in the island after the big project was launched was that people started renting out the vacant plots in the island, said Abdul Sattar. He added that most of the flats in the island have also been rented out to accommodate some staff who come to work on the airport project. 

"Earlier, the same uninhabited plots, houses were very many. Now i  can say that there are no such lots left. Now, there is no empty house as we have taken out houses to accommodate the people of the project. Even those places are notenough to acomodate them all," Abdul Sattar said.

According to him, on an average, about five plots are being rented out by various people a week. Abdul Sattar said many people are renting out their lands in such a manner to carry out guesthouse and tourism-related businesses.

"There is a huge demand for land in the island after the project was started. The council is also not able to do what it is supposed to do because of the high capacity," Abdul Sattar said.

Abdul Sattar pointed out that many people have been demanding the release of land from the area earmarked for tourism purposes in the island. He added that there has been an increase in the number of proposals received by the civic body from various traders for renting out land.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said at the opening ceremony of the Hanimaadhoo Airport Development Project:

The government estimates that with the expansion of the airport 8,000 tourist beds would be added in five years. The government plans to expand tourism in the region by bringing flights directly to Hanimaadhoo from abroad. In addition, plans are afoot to send fish abroad through the Hanimaadhoo Airport.