The Greater Male’ Bridge project is not aimed at attracting the population of Maldives to the region and the project is rather expected to solve the existing problems in the capital city, according to Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer.
The decision to develop a bridge connection Male’, Vilimale’, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu has attracted concern from the public as it might congest the region more, creating additional social and environmental problems. With the project budgeted to start in 2020, parliamentarians asked the minister whether the project would result in the population concentrating more centrally.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on the State Budget, Finance Minister Ameer said the administration intends to provide solutions to the existing problems in the capital by developing a bridge to connect the region allowing transportation between the commercial port and other facilities. He highlighted the region needs immediate solutions without populating the region more.
The finance minister said Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi is set to be used as industrial and commercial regions and the administration does not intend to populate the two islands, unlike the previous administrations. He said the administration wants to create five administrative divisions across the country and develop them as urban communities. The development of five urban communities is expected to reduce population concentration to Male’ City.
The administration expects to receive a loan facility of USD 19.8 million from Abu Dhabi Fund for the Development for the construction of the Greater Male’ Connectivity Bridge, according to the proposed State Budget 2020. The loan amount is expected to increase gradually to USD 39.6 million and USD 74.6 million in 2021 and 2022 respectively.