L. Atoll airport: Maavah residents to protest as island's PNC group prepares petition for president

Residents of L. Maavah are set to stage a protest on Sunday in response to the government's decision to develop Laamu Atoll's second airport in L. Isdhoo, as the island’s People's National Congress (PNC) group prepare to submit a petition to President Dr. Mohamed Muizz expressing concern over the decision.

The government, on Thursday, announced that Laamu Atoll’s second airport would be developed in the Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo via a video published by the Ministry of Housing, Land, and Urban Development, which cited Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo as one of the largest islands in the Maldives in land mass with significant potential for population consolidation and large-scale development.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged to develop a second airport in Laamu Atoll during a visit to Maavah in October 2023, when he met with residents of the island.

The government's decision to locate the airport in Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo has drawn strong criticism from Maavah residents. According to the petition being prepared by the island's PNC group, Maavah's isolated geographical location places its residents among those facing the greatest transportation and accessibility challenges within the atoll.

The petition describes the government's announcement of the Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo airport project as a "dark day" that shattered the hopes of Maavah residents and plunged the island into despair. It characterizes the document as a formal appeal from the entire community, urging the President to reconsider the decision. Among the key concerns raised are the alleged breach of a presidential campaign pledge and the island's longstanding need for an airport to address its transportation difficulties.

The petition also warns of potential political consequences, noting that Maavah delivered the second-highest percentage of votes for President Muizzu in the most recent presidential election. It states that the community has consistently supported the government's agenda, including during local council elections and referendums, largely in the expectation that the airport project would be awarded to the island. According to the petition, the decision has resulted in widespread disappointment and heightened political and social tensions within the community.

Speaking with Sun, Maavah Council member Ahmed Azmeel confirmed that the island's PNC group is currently collecting signatures for the petition. While stressing that the council has remained neutral on the issue, Azmeel said a public demonstration is scheduled to take place at the Maavah harbour area at 4:30pm this evening. He added that residents feel deeply disappointed, as the President's previous remarks during his visit had led them to believe that the airport would be developed on the island.

Laamu Atoll is known for its rich natural resources and historical significance. At present, Kadhdhoo Airport is the only operational airport serving the atoll.