Govt to complete Magoodhoo airport despite location concerns

Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib said on Monday that the government will proceed with the development of the airport in F. Magoodhoo, despite earlier concerns that the airport should have been constructed in F. Nilandhoo.

Responding to a query from MP for Hulhumalé South, Dr Ahmed Shamheed, the minister confirmed that the Magoodhoo airport will be completed within the current presidential term. Dr Shamheed had questioned whether the airport project would resume, the expected completion date, and the potential financial loss if the project were halted after the ABC layer of the runway had been completed.

Dr Muththalib acknowledged that the original development plan had identified Nilandhoo as the intended location for the airport in Faafu Atoll. However, the previous administration decided to construct the airport in Magoodhoo instead. He described this shift as a deviation from the original development framework.

Despite delays, Dr Muththalib said the government is continuing efforts to complete the Magoodhoo airport and make it operational.

The contract for the project was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) in October 2022 during the tenure of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The airport, designed to accommodate jet landings, is nearing completion. The current administration initiated a new plan to build an airport in Nilandhoo, located near Magoodhoo, during the parliamentary election period last year.