Government of Maldives has decided to finance the airport development of Nilandhoo in Faafu Atoll from the loan aid of OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).
In this regard, the government has decided to provide a fund of USD 6.5 million for the project which costs a total of over USD 13 million. OFID has granted USD 40 million to the government of Maldives to finance development projects across the country.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom aims to ease the domestic transportation with the establishment of domestic airports across Maldives, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated while speaking at the press conference held to reveal more about the load aid from OFID. Noting the president prioritises the initiative, the housing minister said land reclamation and land protection of the airport development will be financed from the OFID loan aid.
The government previously contracted the Nilandhoo airport development project to Malaysia's Gryphon Energy Corporation. However, the contract was abolished in September 2017, as the company failed to acquire funds for the project.