President Muizzu broke ground on Project AYLA, a US$ 790 million sustainable township in Noonu atoll that the government says is the largest private-sector investment outside traditional tourism. The development, which spans the lagoons of Dhekenanfaru and Dhigufaru and the island of Kuramaadhoo, was designated as a Special Economic Zone in December following an investment agreement with Crystal Holdings and BluRock Group. The township will combine luxury residences and an ultra-luxury resort with a healthcare facility, hospitality school, and sustainable aquaculture and agriculture systems, with more than 60 percent of energy from renewable sources. It is expected to generate over 1,200 jobs and become partially operational by the end of 2028, the economic development ministry said.
Ismail Sajid was sacked as head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, more than a month after he was suspended over alleged sexual harassment, multiple media outlets reported. The dismissal comes less than seven months after Sajid replaced former FIU head Abdulla Ashraf in the wake of a leaked report that implicated a ruling party lawmaker in diverting inauguration day funds.
A video of sewage discharging onto a tourist beach in Alif Dhaal Dhigurah went viral, drawing nearly six million views on Instagram. Spanish content creator David Segura, who filmed the video earlier this month, noted that the affected area was the island's designated "bikini beach" for tourists. Council President Ibrahim Usman said the discharge was caused by a burst pipe in the island's old community-built sewage system, which remains partially in use while homes are connected to a new network installed under the previous administration. The pipe burst under pressure after rough weather, he said. The council and residents have since repaired the damage. About 1,000 tourists were staying on the island at the time of the incident. Usman said the new sewage system was 90 percent complete when the current government took office, with work ongoing to connect remaining households.
Air pollution reached hazardous levels across the Maldives, reducing visibility to below two kilometres with an Air Quality Index of 158 at Vilimalé's monitoring station. The Meteorological Service reported this as the most severe haze in seven days, with PM2.5 levels that pose dangers to health. Northeast winds are expected to persist for two days, prompting advisories for outdoor activities and maritime operations. The HPA reiterated advice to take precautionary measures.
The tourism ministry invited bids to develop and operate 50-bed city hotels in Haa Alifu Baarah and Shaviyani Funadhoo on 50-year leases. Baarah will be allocated 71,832 square metres with a US$ 150,000 bid security, while Funadhoo receives three hectares requiring US$ 100,000 as bid security. A virtual information session is scheduled for February 23, with bids due by end of March and hotels to be completed within two years of lease signing.
Land reclamation began in Noonu Vihafaru lagoon for an airport project without completing the required Environmental Impact Assessment, with excavators deployed on Wednesday, Adhadhu reported. The lagoon was leased to a Singaporean investor under the Noonu Raafushi agreement for seaplane operations, but President Muizzu pledged in July 2025 to build an airport there instead. An EIA survey team is scheduled to conduct assessments next week.
The central bank granted a certificate of approval for the Development Bank of Maldives to commence operations.
