Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has revealed that reclamation of Giraavaru Falhu and Ras Male' has been disrupted due to the non-payment of some bills by the previous government last year. The reclamation projects are being conducted by Capital Marine and Civil Construction Company (CMCCC).
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Muththalib said Ras Male' will be developed as an eco-city under a 20-year plan. However, he said that reclamation of Ras Male' has been disrupted due to the non-payment of bills related to the Giraavaru Falhu project last October, noting that the same company is reclaiming both areas.
Additionally, Minister Muththalib said 50 of 160 hectares of land has been reclaimed in Giraavaru Falhu so far but that the project has been at a standstill for days. The reason is that the company agreed to reclaim a part of the area on a cross-subsidy basis while the rest will be reclaimed on a contractor finance basis. He detailed that the delay occurred after the company did not receive payment for a bill sent to the government last October. He added that the current administration is working to process and pay the bill to resume the projects as soon as possible.
Minister Muththalib also said companies have expressed interest in the development of roads and basic services in Giraavaru and the work will be handed over to a company soon.