Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has commenced fieldwork for the land reclamation and shore protection project site in Bodufolhudhoo, Alifu Alifu Atoll.
The government has stated that the project site in Bodufolhudhoo has been handed over to MTCC. Necessary equipment for fieldwork arrived on the island in July, including a chartered dredger, signifying the project's initiation. The scope of the project includes the reclamation of 12 hectares of land and the construction of 180m breakwater. The total value of the project is USD4.7 million.
Speaking to the media, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MTCC Shahid Hussain Moosa expressed the company's commitment to fulfilling the needs of residents. He said that reclamation operations will align with the preferences of residents. Furthermore, he mentioned that 12 hectares of land will be reclaimed over a span of 12 days.
Meanwhile, President of Bodufolhudhoo Island Council Sujau Adam emphasised that the project stands as the island's most significant and expansive endeavor. He highlighted the absence of allocated land for residential use, attributing it to limited land availability. With over 150 residents in need of private housing, he asserted that land reclamation holds the key to resolving these critical issues.
Bodufolhudhoo has a population of 800 residents. The unavailability of land for housing is one of the biggest issues facing the island since the 1990s. In addition to the housing issues, the island council noted that the land shortage is a major obstacle for the development of local tourism.