The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure has signed a contract with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company MTCC to compile an environmental impact Assessment to develop an airport on Faafu Atoll Nilandhoo.
The signing ceremony was held at the Senco Hall of Dhivehi Raaje Ge Adu today. CEO of MTCC Abdullah Ziyad signed the agreement on behalf of the Company while State Minister Ibrahim Thoaam signed on behalf of the government and Ministry.
MTCC detailed that the scope of the project includes a bathymetric survey, topographic survey, aerial mapping, and EIA.
The Government has contracted MTCC to finish the project within 120 days after the signing and the project is expected to cost the government MVR 370,000.
Speaking to the media after the signing ceremony, Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdullah Muththalib said that although the airport construction on the neighboring Magoodhoo is well underway, the government decided to move forward with the airport in Nilandhoo because it was included in the budget.
The Minister clarified that previous governments have also tried to plan and develop an airport on Nilandhoo.
Minister Muththalib further stated that airports are being developed in certain regions given how tourist locations are developed in the country as well as how they are needed by the residents of the islands.
He explained that the locations of the airports are decided by the government and councils with a view to economic and urban development.
