President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the project to develop an additional 4,000 housing units in the Maldives will be signed immediately upon reopening borders.
Speaking at the press conference held on June 23, President Solih said housing is one of the most important issues which need to be addressed in the Maldives, adding the government is fully committed to fulfill its housing pledges. The president noted the project to construct 1,700 new housing units in Hulhumale’ Phase II had commenced before the lockdown imposed due to COVID-19, while another project to construct 4,000 housing units was ready to be contracted when borders were closed in March. He said the project will be signed as soon as borders reopen in July.
Furthermore, the president noted discussions are ongoing with two Chinese contractors regarding the construction of another 3,000 housing units. He expressed confidence the government can deliver on its pledge to construct 10,000 new housing units in the Greater Male’ Region.
President Solih also shared updates of the progress of other major infrastructure projects conducted in the Maldives. Regarding the Greater Male’ Connectivity Bridge project and the Velana International Airport (VIA) development project, the president said 6 months have been lost due to COVID-19, although the projects are not expected to take any additional time for completion beyond 6 months. He revealed the projects are on course to be completed by 2022.
The president expressed confidence of completing all projects planned across the atolls. He said although the timeline of these projects have been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the projects would be completed by the end of the current 5-year term of the administration.