Fayyaz Ismail, Chairman of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has accused the current government of deliberately stalling the Hankede Integrated Tourism Project to obstruct the economic empowerment of Addu City’s residents. In a post on X last night, Fayyaz criticized the government’s decision to shift the project toward a halal tourism model, claiming it was a tactic to prevent the people of Addu from “standing on their own feet.”
The Hankede project, initially launched by the previous MDP government under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was designed to transform Addu City’s economy through a $400 million tourism investment. According to Fayyaz, the project had secured funding and completed all necessary plans, promising to revolutionize tourism and economic prospects in the city. However, he alleged that the current administration’s pivot to halal tourism has effectively stalled progress.
Fayyaz argued that the government could have utilized newly reclaimed islands in Addu for halal tourism instead of repurposing Hankede, which he insists is unsuitable for such a model. “This is a deliberate attempt to obstruct Addu’s development,” he said, emphasizing that the MDP’s vision was to economically empower the region’s residents.
Hankede, one of three islands earmarked for tourism development in Addu Atoll during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration, remains undeveloped despite decades of promises. The other two islands, Herethere and Viligili, have been developed into tourist resorts, but Hankede continues to languish. Senior officials from the current government previously visited Addu to launch the integrated tourism project, yet no progress has been made since.
The Solih administration constructed an expensive bridge directly connecting Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, bypassing Hankede, which lies between the two islands. Previously, the link road connecting Maradhoo to Hithadhoo passed through Hankede, but the new bridge effectively isolates Hankede from these inhabited islands as part of the tourism project. Fayyaz claimed the government’s focus on refinancing debt has further delayed the Hankede initiative.
The decision to reorient Hankede toward halal tourism has sparked debate, with critics like Fayyaz arguing it undermines the original vision for Addu’s economic growth. As the project remains in limbo, Addu City residents await clarity on whether the promised tourism boom will materialize.
The Hankede project, initially launched by the previous MDP government under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, was designed to transform Addu City’s economy through a $400 million tourism investment. According to Fayyaz, the project had secured funding and completed all necessary plans, promising to revolutionize tourism and economic prospects in the city. However, he alleged that the current administration’s pivot to halal tourism has effectively stalled progress.
Fayyaz argued that the government could have utilized newly reclaimed islands in Addu for halal tourism instead of repurposing Hankede, which he insists is unsuitable for such a model. “This is a deliberate attempt to obstruct Addu’s development,” he said, emphasizing that the MDP’s vision was to economically empower the region’s residents.
Hankede, one of three islands earmarked for tourism development in Addu Atoll during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s administration, remains undeveloped despite decades of promises. The other two islands, Herethere and Viligili, have been developed into tourist resorts, but Hankede continues to languish. Senior officials from the current government previously visited Addu to launch the integrated tourism project, yet no progress has been made since.
The Solih administration constructed an expensive bridge directly connecting Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, bypassing Hankede, which lies between the two islands. Previously, the link road connecting Maradhoo to Hithadhoo passed through Hankede, but the new bridge effectively isolates Hankede from these inhabited islands as part of the tourism project. Fayyaz claimed the government’s focus on refinancing debt has further delayed the Hankede initiative.
The decision to reorient Hankede toward halal tourism has sparked debate, with critics like Fayyaz arguing it undermines the original vision for Addu’s economic growth. As the project remains in limbo, Addu City residents await clarity on whether the promised tourism boom will materialize.
