Bridge maintenance contract with Chinese expired year ago

The government has decided to sign a new contract with China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) for the maintenance of the Sinamale Bridge, which was halted after the previous government did not renew the contract with the company.

The Sinamale Bridge, which opened on August 30, 2018, has not been maintained well for a long time. Some of the lights on the bridge are also not working.

When asked about it, the then Planning Ministry said in March that the agreement signed with the bridge construction company expired in 2021. At the time, it was stated that discussions were underway between the Government of Maldives and the Chinese government to renew the agreement and could be renegotiated in about two months.

Construction and Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib told Atoll Times on Thursday that documents were exchanged between the two countries during the previous government. However, no new agreement has been signed, he said.

He said the two countries have decided to sign a new agreement with the bridge construction company in accordance with the two copies exchanged between the two countries.

According to Muthalib, under the new agreement:

“We are working to sign the agreement and start the maintenance work as soon as possible,” said Muththalib, who also worked as the then deputy housing minister on the bridge project.

Sinamale Bridge