Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has declared that Vilimale’ will become a thriving hub of opportunities before President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s five-year term concludes.
He made the statement at a foundation-laying ceremony last Thursday, marking the start of a 300-unit housing project that the Bank of Maldives will finance and construct on the island.
At the ceremony, the Minister recalled President Muizzu’s visit to Vilimale’, where residents raised one concern above all others: a serious housing shortage affecting growing families. Residents also told the President directly about their struggle to repay home construction loans on a single salary, particularly without spare space to generate rental income. Beyond housing, islander flagged two further gaps; limited access to quality healthcare, and the need for students to travel to Male’ or Hulhumale’ just to sit A-level examinations.
In response, President Muizzu has revised several government policies. The administration will develop a tertiary-level hospital on the island. It will also permit buildings of up to 100 storeys in Vilimale’, bringing the island in line with building regulations across other districts of Male’. Additionally, the government will upgrade roads to modern standards and overhaul the water, sewerage, and electricity networks.
The 300-unit housing project now underway targets Vilimale’ residents specifically. Minister Muththalib framed it as the first concrete step in a broader transformation. Together, these measures signal the government’s intention to position Vilimale’ not merely as a residential extension of the capital, but as a self-sufficient urban center in its own right.