Male’ City, May 3, 2025 – President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced today that his government has reclaimed all lands that were previously allocated to foreign companies by the former administration in exchange for land reclamation projects.

“There are no longer any lands in the Maldives that were given to foreign companies in exchange for land reclamation. We have taken back those lands. This has been ongoing for some time,” President Muizzu stated during a media briefing at the President’s Office.

The President explained that although the Rasmale reclamation project was initially awarded to contractors with the agreement that they would receive land in return for their services, his administration has now cancelled that agreement as well.

President Muizzu emphasized that he does not approve of the policy of granting land to companies that finance reclamation projects, and his administration will not continue this practice moving forward.

He further explained that the delay in the Giravaru Falhu reclamation project is due to this policy change. Similarly, an agreement to provide land from Thilafushi as compensation for the Hulhumale Phase 3 reclamation project has also been terminated.

The President announced that his administration is working with various contractors to complete the Rasmale reclamation project within this year. He also revealed that preparations for the reclamation of North Thilafushi Lagoon are currently underway.

The government has decided to build a central prison on the land to be reclaimed from North Thilafushi Lagoon.