The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Govt awards Gulhifalhu reclamation to Dutch firm without bid

Fathmath Shaahunaz
22 October 2019, MVT 16:42
Aerial view of the reclaimed industrial island of K.Gulhifalhu.
Fathmath Shaahunaz
22 October 2019, MVT 16:42

Maldives awarded the reclamation project of Gulhifalhu, Kaafu Atoll, to Dutch dredging company, Boskalis Westminster Contracting Ltd, without bid for USD 53 million (MVR 817 million).

The agreement was signed last Thursday by Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure's Director General Fathimath Shana Farooq, while Boskalis Westminster Contracting was represented by Area Manager David Boustead.

As per the contract, Boskalis is to reclaim 16 million cubic metres and establish a 4-kilometre seawall at Gulhifalhu, which is being developed as an industrial island, within a period of 180 days.

The planning ministry stated that the project was awarded to Boskalis under the Public Finance Act without bid, noting that Boskalis was chosen based on technical expertise considering the magnitude and high cost of the reclamation project.

The ministry further noted that Boskalis has already conducted several reclamation projects in Maldives, reclaiming total 198 hectares of land across 10 inhabited islands between the years 2007 and 2015.

Meanwhile, the government has awarded the projects to design the master plans for Gulhifalhu and the northern harbour of Male' City to HQ of Singapore for USD 650,000 (MVR 10 million). The funds for the plans are yet to be secured.

MORE ON NEWS