Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure has contracted Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to conduct a coastal protection project in Fohdhoo, Noonu Atoll.
The project was awarded to MTCC following the separation of jetty from the island due to soil erosion. Following huge swelling and soil erosion, the jetty separated from the island on January 23 and the residents have been using small boats and dinghies to load and unload people and goods from and to larger boats.
The island council has raised concerns due to the challenges following the separation of the jetty as the island is also booming with local tourism and tourists find it difficult to transfer from and to the island. The residents have taken to social media to express their concern while Parliamentarian Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq brought the matter to the attention of the administration. The coastal protection project has since been included in State Budget 2020.
The contract to protect the coast was signed by Director General at Planning Ministry Fathimath Shaana Farooq and CEO of MTCC Adam Azim. The project would cost USD 492,038 and should be completed within 6 months.
The project consists of protecting a 180-metre area near the jetty using geobag revetment. The project will begin following the completion of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
Many islands in Maldives have recently been experiencing irregular ocean swells and soil erosion and the administration has been working in collaboration with residents to solve the issue. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has stated sandbags and jumbo bags could be used to solve the matter temporarily.