Ministry to appeal disclosure of Ameenee Magu reconstruction project details

Planning Ministry has decided to file an appeal requesting non-disclosure of information on the construction of the Ameenee Magu, one of the busiest roads in Malé.

This decision was made when an environmental activist, Ahmed Afrah, had requested for this information under the Right to Information Act.

Afrah, in August 2022 submitted his request to the Planning Ministry, seeking information on detailed designs and drawings of the construction of Ameenee Magu, details on whether any trees on the road will be removed or cut down, and whether the ministry had done any surveys relating to this issue.

He also sought the a copy of the agreement between the ministry and Road Development Corporation (RDC), and the reason why the project was handed over to them.

Out of these requests, he has not yet received answers for the reason why the project was handed over to RDC, and the designs for the project.

After examining the denial of other information, the Information Commission had on November 23 last year ruled that the road design could be shared with a third party. The commissioner also directed that a copy of the agreement with the RDC be released to Afrah within five days.

However, Planning Ministry did not abide by the Information Commission's ruling on the matter and has filed an appeal with the High Court.

While the ministry chose not to share details about the construction of Ameenee Magu, they are also the target of criticism over the slow pace at which the road is being constructed.

RDC is currently constructing a storm water network and upgrading the water supply in segment 3 of Ameenee Magu. The company is also adding curbstone to the road.

The Planning Ministry handed over the construction of the Ameenee Magu to the RDC on July 3, 2022. While the construction of the road began in August 30 of the year, they were given a deadline of 10 months to complete the road development project.

The project, which will cost MVR 84 million from the state budget, will also include construction of 1.7 km of fencing on Amini Road and a drainage system.

The MVR 84 million state-funded project includes laying of asphalt across 1.7 kilometres of road as well as the installation of a water drainage network.