The new Maldivian administration has made the
choice to change the location of the latest domestic airport from H.A.Atoll
from Maafinolhu, to Hoarafushi. The projects contractor, Maldives Transport
and Contracting Company (MTCC) announced the decision made by the government
during a press conference on the 14th of March 2019.
CEO of MTCC, Hassan
Shah, speaking at the conference said that the decision was based on the
current administrations policy, to avoid harming the environment of uninhabited
islands such as Maafinolhu with major infrastructure projects such as an
airport.
Land reclamation
for the Maafinolhu Airport Project was initiated in the month of July, 2018.
But the Head of Projects at MTCC, Ahmed Latheef reports the company did not
begin any practice work on the island.
"The former administration, with
the intention of reclaiming land at Maafinolhu, took Maha Jarraf and other
accessories to the island. But no practical work was initiated," said Latheef.
MTCCs
CEO Shah stated that the airport will be developed in Hoarafushi instead.
"Instead of that, since Hoarafushi
is already rich in land, because the land already exists, we plan on reclaiming
land to enlarge the island and develop the airport," quoted Shah.
Shah said that the company is
currently in negotiations with the government regarding the Hoarafushi Airport
Project, and hoped to be awarded the projects contract in the coming days.
"We are engaged
in discussions with the Planning Ministry through Regional Airports."
MTCC is
currently developing three other regional airports; Kulhudhuffushi Airport,
Funadhoo Airport, and Maavaarulu Airport.