Construction on Magoodhoo Airport has resumed after a significant delay, according to Magoodhoo Island Council President Abdulla Waheed. The project, managed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), is currently focused on completing the unfinished section of the airport runway.
The development of Magoodhoo Airport was abruptly suspended in March during the parliamentary elections, with the government not providing a reason for the halt. This led to nightly protests from local residents, frustrated by the lack of communication and the impact on airport personnel left idle.
Magoodhoo Airport, with a projected cost of MVR 252 million, is one of the Maldives’ most expensive domestic airports. It features an 1,800-metre runway capable of accommodating private jets, a jet parking area, a fuel farm, a VIP lounge, and a city hotel.
Earlier this year, island council officials raised their concerns with the President’s Office but received no response for several months. Allegations surfaced that the construction halt might have been politically motivated, favoring the development of an airport in nearby Nilandhoo, where the President’s sister, Fathimath Sauda, was contesting the parliamentary elections.
Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, stated that MTCC had not received any government directives to halt the project, suggesting internal MTCC issues might be the cause of delays.
Despite these assurances, protests continued until construction resumed. The proximity of Magoodhoo to Nilandhoo, a short speedboat or ferry ride away, fueled frustrations as residents observed faster progress on the Nilandhoo airport.
MTCC has been contracted to undertake land reclamation for the Nilandhoo airport as part of the government’s initiative to ensure that every residential island, resort, and industrial area in the Maldives is within a 30-minute radius of a domestic airport. This involves reclaiming 42.6 hectares of land and installing rock and geobag revetments.
With construction back on track, Magoodhoo residents hope for uninterrupted progress, bringing much-needed infrastructure and economic opportunities to their island. The government’s renewed focus on completing the airport is seen as a positive step towards addressing the community’s grievances and fulfilling its regional development commitments.
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