Naagoshi project revived after decades of setback; Ameen says resort will be operational within a year

Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen says the long-delayed H.Dh. Naagoshi resort is now expected to open within a year, nearly two decades after the project was first initiated. 

Speaking at the Ahaa forum on Sunday evening, the minister said about 50 percent of the development work has been completed.

Naagoshi was first handed over to MTDC in 2006, but the project stalled repeatedly due to financial and contractual setbacks. Over the years, the island was subleased to multiple parties, including Threecare International of Russia and later a Dubai-based contractor. The government eventually cancelled agreements due to prolonged delays in completing the USD 30 million (MVR 462.6 million) project.

Public concerns and updates on key Government policies take centre stage at the 9th Ahaa Forum session with ministers from @MoHmv, @MoTmv and @MoDLCH, at Sultan Park tonight. Organised by the President’s Office and PSM, the Forum enables citizens to engage directly with ministers in person and via the PSM Air app, strengthening public access to Government information.

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President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu visited the atoll in August last year and reaffirmed the government’s decision to hand the island back to MTDC, with the aim of finally opening the resort. MTDC has since announced that the 183-room property, featuring beach villas, jacuzzi beach villas and water villas, will be completed by December this year.

Minister Ameen said the ministry initially targeted a November opening, but the resort is now expected to become operational within 11 months, without specifying an exact date. MTDC Managing Director Ahmed Niyaz said the project will create around 600 jobs once the resort opens.