Construction Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib lied by denying that the government has instructed the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to halt any ongoing project.
Citing re-prioritisation of projects included in this year's budget, MTCC was ordered on Tuesday to temporarily halt 60 projects, including 17 ongoing projects.
In a post on X last night, the minister said that the government had not decided to halt any ongoing project. The other projects were halted due to insufficient funds allocated in the budget passed for 2024, he said.
But Adhadhu has obtained a list of projects halted on the ministry's orders. Posts with photos showing work on seven of the ongoing projects can also be seen on MTCC's official X handle.
Ongoing projects on the list
- Baa Hithaadhoo coastal protection
- Gaaf Alif Kolamaafushi land reclamation (MTCC posted)
- Haa Alif Dhidhdhoo land reclamation (MTCC posted)
- Haa Alif Ihavandhoo coastal protection
- Haa Dhaal Finey harbour upgrading (MTCC posted)
- Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi jetty construction
- Laamu Gan coastal protection
- Noonu Holhudhoo coastal protection (MTCC posted)
- Noonu Kendhikulhudhoo development of slipway (MTCC posted)
- Raa Rasmaadhoo coastal protection
- Raa Vaadhoo coastal protection
- Seenu Feydhoo harbour upgrading
- Seenu Hulhudhoo establishment of visitor centre
- Shaviyani Komandoo breakwater
- Shaviyani Narudhoo harbour repairing (MTCC posted)
- Thaa Buruni harbour upgrading
- Vaavu Thinadhoo harbour upgrading (MTCC posted)
Adhadhu has also obtained a copy of the letter sent from the Construction Ministry to MTCC with instructions to halt the projects. The indefinite suspensions are part of cost-cutting measures under a plan to re-prioritise projects included in this year's budget, the letter stated.
The government's decision to halt projects came amid austerity measures planned in response to deteriorating public finances.
But President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said during the presidential election campaign that ongoing projects would not be halted.
"No project will be halted. No ongoing project or something being done to pull wool over your eyes, it won't be halted. It will be done better. There's no need to worry. No ongoing work will be stopped," the President said in Gaaf Alif Maamendhoo on August 28, 2023.
However, two or three months after the government took power, the opposition alleged that development projects had stalled on islands and that expenditure on public sector investment programme (PSIP) projects had fallen. But the government repeatedly denied the allegations.
The President also repeated the pledge not to halt any ongoing projects during the campaign for the parliamentary elections. Speaking at a rally near the Hiya flats on April 3, President Muizzu assured the public that ongoing projects will continue.
