Maagiri lagoon near Thilafushi to host new fuel storage, minister says
There are two areas named 'Maagiri lagoon' in the Male Atoll.
Infrastructure minister Abdulla Muthalib said on Monday that the fuel storage in K. Funadhoo will be shifted to Maagiri lagoon near Thilafushi and not near Kanduohgiri.
The decision to relocate the fuel storage to the Maagiri lagoon was announced at a press conference at the President's Office after the Cabinet meeting held on Sunday. He said the Cabinet had decided to do the work via STO.
There are two areas named 'Maagiri lagoon' in the Male Atoll.
The fuel storage is being set up in the Maagiri lagoon near Thilafushi, Minister Muthalib said, responding to a post in 'X' by Ecocare Maldives, an environmental advocacy organisation, which expressed concern over the government's decision.
Ecocare, environmentalists, divers and many members of the public expressed concern that the fuel storage is being relocated to Kanduohgiri. As such, they noted:
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The Maagiri lagoon near Kanduohgiri is rich in life and has seven dive sites
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This is the most popular diving area in the Male atoll, and is well known throughout the country
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Many of the lagoons in the Male atoll have been severely damaged by development projects; Maagiri lagoon is the only area in the province that has not suffered such damage
Later on, Ecocare thanked the minister for clarifying that the fuel storage is being set up near Thilafushi and has now called for the fuel storage to be set up directly at Thilafushi instead of dredging the Maagiri lagoon near it.
President Mohammed Muizzu announced the decision to stop fuel storage in Funadhoo and turn the island into an economic hub at the inauguration ceremony of the second phase of the Velana International Airport development. The economic changes to be brought to Funadhoo were unveiled that evening.
President Muizzu said that evening:
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The work of stopping fuel storage in Funadhoo and relocating it will start this year; the work will be completed within the next six or two years
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With that, it is a vision to make it an international financial center as part of the implementation of the SEZ Act and a plan to expand beyond it
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Under the project, the island will be converted into an airport economic zone
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In addition to shopping centers and hotels, convention facilities and entertainment venues will be established
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Funadhoo-Male and Funadhoo-Hulhule will be connected by the bridge
Funadhoo is the main town used by STO to store fuel imported into Maldives. However, various sources have warned of a potential accident as a dangerous substance such as fuel is stored so close to the city and the airport.
Despite various governments trying to stop fuel storage in Funadhoo, it has not happened so far.
The then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also promised during the last presidential election to stop fuel storage in Funadhoo and dedicate the island to convention tourism.
