Government of the Maldives decides to use the USD 40 million loan aid from OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) to finance the development projects across the country. The decision of the government was announced at a press conference held by Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim.
Revealing information on how the government would spend the USD 40 million loan aid from OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim revealed the funds will be used for development projects across the country such as establishing water and sewerage facilities, airport development, harbour development and protection. Environment Ministry has planned to establish sewerage facilities in 8 islands.
In this regard, sewerage facilities will be developed in Nellaidhoo, Neykurendhoo and Makunudhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll and Feydhoo in Shaviyani Atoll. In addition, facilities will also be developed in Vaadhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Dharavandhoo and Kendhoo in Baa Atoll. Meanwhile, under the loan aid government will conduct the projects of beach protection in Maroshi in Shaviyani Atoll and Meedhoo in Addu City. Furthermore, airport development project in Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll will also be spent from the loan aid of OFID.
Within the past four years several projects within the mandate of the ministry were spent from the OFID fund, Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim stated speaking at the press conference. In this regard, the minister revealed USD 20 million was spent on the first phase on water and sewerage systems while USD 50 million was spent on the second phase.
Meanwhile, Minister Muizzu expressed that harbour development projects of six islands are in the pipeline. The harbours will be developed in Kolamaafushi in Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Hoadehdhoo in Gaafu Atoll, Maradhoo-Feydhoo in Addu City, Kudarikilu, Kihaadhoo and Dhonfanu in Baa Atoll, revealed the Minister.
From the USD 40 million granted by OFID, USD 20 million will be used to establish sewerage systems and beach protection projects in islands. Moreover, USD 13.5 million will be spent for harbour development projects while USD 6.5 million is to be spent for airport development in Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll.