Airport's transfer to Magoodhoo wrong, will open this term: Muthhalib

The decision by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to develop an airport in Faafu atoll Magoodhoo instead of Nilandhoo as originally planned, was wrong, but the airport will be completed and opened during this presidential term, said Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muthhalib today.

Answering south Hulhumale' MP, Dr Ahmed Shamheed's question on the airport's progress and potential losses to the government as a result of the project being stopped, the minister said the airport would be opened during this administration despite the delays.

"[I believe] that a project which was always planned to be built in Nilandhoo was moved to Magoodhoo wrongly. The government has to develop the airport according to the developmental plan as well. However, we will complete the project started in Nilandhoo," Muthhalib said.

He also detailed that the shore protection component of Magoodhoo airport is currently underway, acknowledging that there are delays with the project, which he assured the government would expedite.

The project was paused ahead of the parliamentary election last year. However, the government did not reveal the cause of the delay at the time, with locals protesting over the issue as well.

Although the project is still paused, about 75 percent of the project has been completed, with majority of the runway, tower and fire station work done as well.

When the Magoodhoo airport development got paused, the current administration pledged to develop an airport in neighboring Nilandhoo, and awarded the project to MTCC.

Magoodhoo locals alleged that this decision was fuelled as a gift for President Muizzu's sister, MP Fathimath Saudha's campaign.

Magoodhoo airport is designed to be one of the largest domestic airports in the country. It is estimated that the project, which has a 1,800 meter runway would cost MVR 252 million.

While both islands are getting airports, it takes 5 minutes to travel between both islands by speedboat and 20-25 minutes by ferry.