President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday established Roads Development Corporation Ltd (RCDL), a state enterprise devoted to road development which aims to grant ease of transportation.
According to the President's Office, the authority was created under the powers granted to the president by law 10/96, in light of the current administration's pledge to provide all of Maldives with the basic conveniences and amenities necessary for modern living.
RDCL’s mandate will be to facilitate the building of high quality roads across all Maldivian islands in order to increase their connectivity. Overseeing such projects and creating a framework to maintain roads are also part of RDCL's mandate.
Additionally, the mandate states that the fully state-run company has a capital of MVR 50 million.
A similar company was established in former President Mohamed Nasheed's administration by the name of Maldives Road Development Corporation (MRDC). The company was run by the state during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration as well.
MRDC was tasked with constructing football pitches and establishing sewerage systems in islands in addition to road construction. The company, however, was dissolved in early 2018.
The government corporation, which saw various managing directors in a short period of time, faced many corruption allegation at the time of nullification.
While the government established a new company specialised for road development and maintenance, President Solih recently created a handful of state-run corporations focusing on different sectors.