Addu City, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is scheduled to sign the agreement for Addu Reclamation Project during his visit to the city from 25 to 28 March 2022.
According to the Spokesperson of the President’s Office Mabrook Azeez, the President will inaugurate a number of projects and events in Addu City this weekend.
During his visit to the south the President is set to visit Fuvah Mulah City and all the islands of Addu City.
President Solih is scheduled to,
- Sign the agreement for Addu Reclamation Project
- Attend the opening ceremony for the National Academy of Policing and Law Enforcement located in Addu City
- Inaugurate the groundwork for Addu Road Development Project
- Open the harbours of Meedhoo and Maradhoo and Masjid Ibrahim Mosque located in Hithadhoo
- Inaugurate the Drug Detoxification and Community Center
Environment Minister Aminath Shauna has previously stated that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report shows that Addu Reclamation Project will impact 42 percent of the atoll lagoon area and the atoll is the smallest naturally formed atoll in the Maldives which does not have a current flow system.
Despite the potential negative impact on the environment of the atoll, the government has stated that they will not prevent the project.
The EIA states that an estimated 6,916,573cbm of sand will be dredged inside the atoll lagoon and the dredging site covers 42 percent of the lagoon. Transparency Maldives released a statement saying that the projected value in damages to the environment due to the Addu reclamation project is at USD 858,343 million.
The USD 147.1 million project to develop the roads of Addu city and reclamation of 228 hectares of land was contracted to Afcons Infrastructure Limited of India.
Under the one-off land reclamation and shore protection project is proposed to create a land area of approximately 228 hectares. The proposed reclamation for purposes of residential, commercial, and industrial development is estimated for Hithadhoo, Hulhudhoo/Meedhoo (38 hectares including two island resorts of 5 hectares each), and Maradhoo/Maradhoo-Feydhoo (75 hectares).
The reclamation project is being carried out under the line of credit provided by EXIM Bank of India.
