MVR 40bn projects signed by Construction Ministry alone: Muthhalib

Construction Ministry alone has signed on developmental projects costing MVR 40 billion, said Minister Abdulla Muthhalib yesterday, urging the public to recognise the difficulties in running the projects.

Speaking at the ceremony to hand over Gdh. Fiyoari's harbour development project over to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), the minister said that the government's recurrent expenses are at about MVR 40 million. Highlighting this, he went onto say that the government always has to take loans for developmental projects due to expenses being higher than revenue.

Because of this, implementing billions worth of projects in all islands is a huge challenge for a country like Maldives, he said. The minister further said that Maldives is facing difficulties in getting loans due to changes in the global environment and disputes between bigger countries.

"I would request the public to accept this. In fact, it is not like we can go and take loans whenever want to run a project. We don't get that many loans from within," he said.

Given the circumstances, the government has to plan projects in advance, but it is not something the public would see, the minister said.

"Just through the Ministry of Construction alone, projects worth MVR 40 billion have already been signed. This means that the number of projects in the [Construction] Ministry alone is more than our annual revenue. It is being done," he added.

"If it is being done, it requires a lot of work through the government. The people will see the projects going on. However, the projects come to that point after a lot of work. A lot of talks between countries," Muthhalib further said.

Having explained this, Minister Muthhalib asked for cooperation from the people and acceptance of the challenges faced by the government as well.

Last month, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu revealed that the government had signed to implement over 550 developmental projects needed by the country, including both new and previously paused projects.

The president also said many of these projects would be completed within this year and the next with many projects in the implementation phase since last month and this month.

The Construction Ministry yesterday awarded the Fiyoari harbour's project to MTCC for MVR 38 million. The project includes dredging of the new harbour and the canal entering the harbour, construction of ramps, bell filling, revetment, installation of road canals, road lights and canal lights and mooring rings, the ministry said.

Minister Muthhalib said yesterday that the Fiyoari port is being rebuilt as a “safe” harbour as it is now difficult for speedboats to approach the port during high tides, which would be resolved with the project.

“Therefore, the work of establishing a safe harbour like other islands is being done,” he said.