The fish factory promised by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to be developed in Dh. Maadheli has been relocated to F. Nilandhoo.
According to media reports citing the Fisheries Ministry, the government decided to relocate the project to Nilandhoo because Maadheli had already been leased to operate a tourist resort, and considering the extent to which that transaction had progressed, taking the island back by paying compensation would not be a financially sound decision for the state.
The President promised to transform Maadheli into a fish purchasing and canning factory while speaking at a campaign rally for the presidential election held in F. Nilandhoo on August 17, 2023. Subsequently, the Fisheries Ministry signed an MOU with China's Dongfang Electric International Corporation on the 14th of last month to build the fish factory in Maadheli.
Under this MOU, the first phase includes developing a special harbour with fish purchasing and carrier boat landing facilities, establishing accommodation, and developing roads. It also includes establishing a fish purchasing and chilling facility, and a 1,500-ton cold storage. Through the second phase of the work, it was decided to develop a factory capable of canning 50 tons of fish per day.
While important fisheries-related projects were assigned to be carried out in Dh. Maadheli, the island was handed over to SAS Capital Private Limited last year to build a luxury resort. The agreement to build a resort in Maadheli was signed with the company on July 5, 2023.
Yesterday, the Fisheries Ministry stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has designated F. Nilandhoo as an urban centre and decided to build the central region's fish factory on that island. Additionally, a senior team from the Ministry met with the Nilandhoo Council yesterday regarding securing the land required to build the fish factory in F. Nilandhoo, and discussed allocating a part of the island's industrial zone for the establishment of the factory, the Ministry said.
