People's National Congress (PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to build an airport in Raa Fainu, a project that was canceled by the current administration over environmental concerns.
Speaking in Raa Inguraidhoo during a campaign visit today, Muizzu said the airport planned for the atoll's southern corner would be developed in Fainu.
"President [Abdulla] Yameen decided to build an airport in Fainu under his policy with foresight and began work as well. Land reclamation for that airport in terms of cost is a very small project."
Muizzu said the airport project would be beneficial to the people of Fainu and other islands in the atoll's south as well as to existing resorts and new ones under development.
"Therefore, God willing, I say here that building the Fainu airport is a project I will carry out."
An environment impact assessment (EIA) was also carried out for the Fainu airport project during former President Yameen's administration.
The EIA report showed that 5792 trees would need to be cut down. But the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) said at the time that the EIA was incomplete and that the number of trees that need to be removed could be more than anticipated.
According to the report, 20 Banyan trees with a height of 20 meters and a 29-meter Tamanu tree would have to be uprooted for the project. A campaign called 'Save Fainu' was carried out against the airport project at the time.
The current administration decided not to build the airport on April 16, 2019, citing damage to the environment. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced on June 4 this year that the airport pledged for Raa atoll will be developed in Beriyanfaru.
"Work on connecting the Maldives by air is ongoing all across the country. As part of the efforts, the airport to be added in Raa atoll's southern corner will be built in that atoll's Beriyanfaru," President Solih said at a ceremony held to launch the Seenu Gan airport development project.
