Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar has said that an international consultant is currently being sought for the Rasmale' project.
He was speaking at a press conference to provide information about the work tasked to the ministry under the government's first 100-day roadmap.
Rasmale' city, being developed by reclaiming 800 hectares from the Fushidhiggaru lagoon, is an environmentally friendly, climate-resistant low carbon, safe island concept eco-city.
In response to questions about the progress in reclamation, Haidar said the consultant will have to carry out research to develop the site as an eco-city.
"There is research that we have to do because it is being developed as an eco-city. We have to do a lot of work, especially in setting up the city's infrastructure, so that we can make the place environmentally friendly," he said.
"So we are currently working on hiring an international consultant to do the research,” he added.
Although Haidar revealed the efforts to hire an international consultant, he did not provide any updates on the progress of the reclamation.
Earlier, Adhadhu reported that land reclamation for the current administration's flagship project has stalled.
When Adhadhu raised questions with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), which is overseeing the project, a media official said the project was ongoing without any interruption.
Despite HDC's claim that the work has not stalled, information gathered by Adhadhu confirms that work had progressed in line with the schedule in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Meanwhile, there is no announcement in the government gazette or the Housing Ministry and HDC websites to seek an international consultant for the project.
After inaugurating the project, the government said reclamation of the massive area would be completed in eight months. However, the government has not yet released a detailed plan for the development.
Although there is no plan for the project, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu signed an MoU on building housing units in Fushidhiggaru on his state visit to China. During the visit, China Machinery Engineering Group Corporation (CMEC) was contracted to establish electricity and water services and build roads in Gulhifalhu and Rasmale'.
