Velidhoo (Noonu Atoll)

History

The first settlers arrived on Velidhoo in the 5th century, with Aryan immigrants believed to have originated from neighbouring regions such as India and Sri Lanka.

In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Velidhoo faced the challenge of a growing population, which led to the need for additional space. This led to several land reclamation projects aimed at expanding habitable land and supporting key economic activities, particularly fishing and tourism. An important milestone came in 2010, when 14 hectares of land were reclaimed, greatly altering the island's geography. The reclaimed land provided space for new housing, infrastructure, and public amenities to accommodate the rising population. The project also included the construction of a 255-metre revetment to protect the new land from erosion and storm surges.

Archaeological findings and local oral tradition suggest the island has been inhabited for centuries. It is the location of a banyan tree (known locally as the Velidhoo Bodu Nikagas) which is widely claimed by residents to be over 300 years old.

Demography

The statistics show the population of the island continues to grow at a steady rate.

|2006|1716 |2014|1722 |2022|1832

Governance

Government Offices

Just like the capital island, most of the government offices are stationed here.

• The Secretariat of the Velidhoo Council, South Miladhunmadulu
• Velidhoo Police Station
• Velidhoo Magistrate Court, South Miladhunmadulu
• Noonu Atoll Education Centre
• Velidhoo Health Centre
• FENAKA Corporation - Velidhoo Branch
• Maldives Post - Velidhoo Branch
• Bank of Maldives - Velidhoo Branch
• N. Velidhoo Fitness & Recreation Center

Island chiefs

Below is a list of individuals who have served as island chiefs, with dates provided where available.

• Katheebu Kaleyge – Muththoshige Gasim Fulhu (late) – Muththosige
• Ibrahim Moosa Kaleyfaanu (Naibu dhonkokko) (late) – Seesange
• Hassan Kaleyfaanu (late) – Muththosige
• Easa Gasim (late) – Daylight
• Mohamed Gasim (late) – Ochidmaage
• Abdul Samed Adam Kaleyfanu – Lubomage (3 September 1977 – 7 April 1982)
• Mohamed Hassan (Magoodhu Mohamed Fulhu) (late) – Dorensyvila (31 March 1970)
• Mohamed Hassan (late)– Muththoshige (3 June 1964 – 9 July 1977)
• Mohamed Abubakur (late) – Hilihilage (19 June 1982 – 31 July 1989)
• Ahmed Waheed (late) (Tholhendhu Waheed) (29 August 1970 – 14 June 1975)
• Abdul Azeez Moosa Kaleyfaanu – Oasanvilla (late) (6 July 1978 – 19 July 1979)
• Ali Moosa Kaleyfanu (late) – Elpaso (6 September 1976 – 16 May 1978)
• Ahmed Wasif (late) – Rediyamge (2 November 1982 – 1 December 1983)
• Moosa Hassanfulhu – Dheyliyaage (17 November 1965 – 1992)
• Abdul Rahman Hussain – Kethi (retired)
• Ibrahim Haleem Ali (late) – Bina (late) (died March 10, 2021)
• Ibrahim Naeem - Waves (retired)

First Elected Velidhoo Council - 26 February 2011

• Mohamed Adil - Iramaage (President)
• Ahmed Saeed - Asdhoo (Vice President)
• Ahmed Ziyaad - Maadhuni
• Ahmed Siraaj - France
• Mohamed Faiz - Athiriaage

Second Elected Velidhoo Council - 13 March 2013

• President of council: Ali Ahmeen Boashimaage
• Vice President: Ibrahim Ali Boashimaage
• Councilor: Ali Mujthaba - Kethi
• Councilor: Asma Hussain - Aahama
• Councilor: Ibrahim Qasim - Fashuvimaage

Third Elected Velidhoo Council - 3 June 2017

• Asma Hussain - Aahama (President)
• Ahmed Jaufaru - Dearhouse (Vice President)
• Adam Ali - Hasthee (Council Member)

Fourth Elected Velidhoo Council - 17 May 2021

• Athif Hussain - Aahama (President)
• Jeehan Mohamed - Aliha (Vice President)
• Haafiza Ibrahim - Azum
• Abdulla Abdul Razzaq - Uraha
• Abdulla Faig - Maahaa

Women's Development Committee - 17 May 2021

• Shareefa Hassan - Janbuge
• Khadheeja Adam - Hive
• Aiminath Suneela - Adha
• Khadheeja Ibrahim - Bahaaruge
• Dhiyana Abdul Razzaq - Uraha

Judges

• Ibrahim Moosa Kaleyfaanu (Naibu dhonkokko) (late) – Seesange
• Abdul Azeez Moosa Kaleyfaanu
• Ibrahim Haleem
• Mohamed Ibrahimfulhu (Miladhoo Mohamed fulhu)
• Mohamed Haleem

Wards

Velidhoo has a total of 3 wards: dv (north), dv (south), and dv (reclaimed land).

Transport

The new harbour was opened by President Abdulla Yameen in 2017. The harbour, built by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), is 800 ft long and 250 ft wide.

The Velidhoo Road Development Project, contracted to the Road Development Corporation (RDC) in November 2021, aims to develop 5 kilometers of roads on Velidhoo Island, Noonu Atoll, with a budget of MVR 88.5 million (approximately USD 5.7 million). The project includes asphalt paving, sidewalks with drainage systems, stormwater management, and the installation of streetlights.

Transportation

There are several passenger, cargo, and speed boats operating between Velidhoo and the capital of the Maldives, Malé. There is also the option of air transport from Maafaru International Airport and directly from Velidhoo.

Air Transport

• Flights from Maafaru International Airport.
• Direct seaplane transfer between Malé and Velidhoo.

Public Transport Service

The Raajje Transport Link (RTL), operated by the MTCC, provides a public ferry service in the Maldives with high-speed speedboat ferries. Currently, the service operates in Noonu Atoll, with a route that connects the island of Velidhoo to the islands of Fodhdhoo, Holhudhoo, Magoodhoo, and Manadhoo.

Boats

• Concord Express
• Blue Marine-9
• Sosan Express
• Royal 10
• Life Line

Speed boats and ferry services

• Hope Travels
• Legion Travels
• Flying Fish
• Zuhal Express

Education

NAEC (Noonu Atoll Education Centre) in Velidhoo was opened in 1981 and teaches students from LKG (Lower Kindergarten) to Grade 11.

Hinz Preschool, a privately owned institution in Velidhoo, provides early childhood education.

In the early days, the location now occupied by Hinz preschool in Velidhoo was home to Nahuza preschool.

Health

The main healthcare medical centre is the government run Velidhoo Health Centre, along with the SPMSCL Pharmacy.

Mazi Chemist Two is a different pharmacy located near the health centre, that is privately run.

References

References

1. "TABLE P5: RESIDENT POPULATION BY ISLAND AND SEX, 2022".
2. Larroque, José Luis. "Indexado de caminos navegacionales en Wikipedia".
3. "The Maldives Is Racing To Create New Land. Why Are So Many People Concerned?".
4. (11 January 2011). "President Meets with the People of Velidhoo".
5. "Visit Velidhoo – #visitvelidhoo".
6. "Table 3.3: Total Maldivian Population by Islands". National Bureau of Statistics.
7. "Table P5: Resident Population by island and sex, 2022".
8. (24 December 2017). "Yameen cuts ribbons for new harbours on northern atolls tour". Maldives Independent.
9. (24 December 2017). "N. Velidhoo Harbor Officially Opened". Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure.
10. (30 November 2015). "Contracts Awarded for IDB Phase 2 and New Jetty". Dredging Today.
11. "Design & Build of Major Roads at N. Velidhoo".
12. (2021-11-15). "Velidhoo road development project contracted to RDC".
13. (2026-01-23). "Maldivian launches seaplane service to Velidhoo".
14. Editorial. (September 25, 2025). "RTL Ferry Service Launched in Thaa Atoll". Maldives Business Review.
15. (July 15, 2023). "RTL services launched in Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaalu Atoll". Maldives Financial Review.
16. "MTCC Customer portal".
17. "Ministry of Education {{!}} Official Website".
18. "Velidhoo Health Centre".
19. "Velidhoo Health Centre".
20. "Authorized Pharmacy List".