Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has begun the fieldwork to link Komandoo and Mathikomandoo in Shaviyani Atoll. Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail inaugurated the fieldwork at a special ceremony held in Komandoo.
MTCC is tasked with linking Komandoo and Mathikomandoo with a 200m long bridge. The project also involves reclamation of 16.7 hectares of land in Mathikomandoo, constructing a 1,520m rock boulder revetment, 353m groynes, and a 112m geobag revetment in the reclaimed area. In addition, the rectification of 1,690m of shore protection installed in Komandoo will also be undertaken as part of the project.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adam Azim said it was the first time the state-owned company has begun fieldwork this quickly, as the government has already formulated the plan and conducted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The project aims to solve the land shortage issues faced in Komandoo, as nine hectares of land available on the island are unable to sustain the growing residential population. Komandoo has a population of 1,900 registered residents but currently, only 600 residents live on the island, due to the lack of housing and socio-economic development. A project to reclaim 10 hectares of land was conducted in Komandoo in 2018, but the reclaimed land is currently unfit for housing development. The government has pledged to solve the land shortage issues in Komandoo and to increase economic development.
During an event held in Komandoo on January 7, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assured residents that the administration will fulfill the pledges made for the island. President of Komandoo Island Council Mohamed Sinan said he is pleased to see the shore protection of the island has been included in the project, as residents are being affected by high tides.