Athif expresses concern after being excluded from groundbreaking ceremony and says council has not seen project concept

Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif says he did not attend Wednesday evening’s groundbreaking ceremony for 2,000 housing units planned for the city because the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) withdrew its invitation after initially confirming it.

In a message to residents posted on social media, Athif said HDC invited him on Wednesday afternoon to attend the ceremony. He said he immediately accepted and confirmed his participation. However, later in the evening, HDC informed him that the invitation had been withdrawn.

“I want to share this with the public so there are no questions about my absence,” Athif wrote.

Athif also expressed concern that the council has not been provided with the initial concept or design details of the 2,000 housing units, despite the foundation stone being laid. He said the council has not been consulted or briefed on the project’s concept so far.

The project to build 2,000 housing units in Kulhudhuffushi was awarded to HDC on 26 August last year. It is part of a presidential pledge by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The foundation‑laying ceremony was held in Kulhudhuffushi on Wednesday evening.