Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib said on Thursday that the land reclamation of Gulhifalhu project awarded by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration was done so in a way that would harm the country, and no one that earnestly wished for the country to prosper would make such an agreement.
The High Court had yesterday passed an order on a plea filed by a citizen last year alleging that the land reclamation project was being carried out in a manner that was harmful to the environment.
The state challenged the order in the Supreme Court and sought an interim stay on the High Court's order.
A three-judge bench of the apex court, said in their order, that if the High Court’s verdict was implemented, the state would suffer great losses, and therefore ordered to not take any action to implement the High Court’s decision.
In a post on X, the minister said word was spread amongst the people alleging the state wished to stop the land reclamation project. He said the willful spread of misinformation was done so by the contractors to whom the project was signed with, in a manner that harms the state.
"The agreement to reclaim [the land] in Gulhifalhu is not the kind of agreement that well-wishers of the country will make," he said.
Akram Kamaluddin, who was Minister of State for Housing, Planning, and Infrastructure in the previous administration, had alleged that the Gulhifalhu reclamation was stopped due to government interference.
He alleged the order was passed by influencing the court to prove the success of the “Rasmale'” project being developed by the current administration reclaiming the Fushidhiggarufalhu reef would be more successful. He added if the project is delayed or halted due to the fault of the state, the state will have to pay about USD 300,000 to Boskalis for everyday the work has been delayed.
"This has happened because of the incompetence (of the government). It cannot be stopped if it damages the government. But they have to prove that the government is suffering. Two groups have to agree. You can't just stop it overnight," Akram said.
The project was awarded to Dutch company Boskalis on October 17, 2019. It was to reclaim 65 hectares for MVR 2 billion. However, current President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to add another 85 hectares to Gulhifalhu and 150 hectares in the second phase. Efforts are on to reclaim the site.
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