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Pres Solih's govt commences first reclamation project

Ahmed Aiham
26 December 2019, MVT 12:47
Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam during the ceremony to kick off the reclamation project. PHOTO: MALDIVES TRANSPORT AND CONTRACTING COMPANY
Ahmed Aiham
26 December 2019, MVT 12:47

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration on Wednesday, commenced its first island reclamation project, for a 25-hectare artificial island resort concept on the lagoon of Maafushi Kaafu Atoll.

The project was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) by the Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure on August 27.

Traditional performances by the residents of Maafushi welcomed the Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam, MTCC Managing Director Hassan Shah, President Solih's Advisor Mohamed Shihab and other state representatives to the island.

During the inauguration ceremony, Minister Aslam noted Maafushi Island as having the largest number of tourist beds and addressed public scrutiny regarding the new style of reclamation adopted by the government. He further urged residents to "greenify" the island through natural means, instead of opting to transplant trees from other islands, highlighting public concerns over the issue of 'tree grabbing'.

MTCC MD Shah stated that a total of 1110 meters of revetment will be installed and declared that the 25 hectares of land will be reclaimed, as per the speed of MTCC's trailing suction hopper dredger 'Mahaa Jarraaf', within 75 days.

Further, MTCC aims to conclude the entire operation within 249 days.

The project was awarded to MTCC by the Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure on August 27 and is a key electoral pledge to the people of Maafushi. The total cost of the project is MVR 99.98 million.

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