The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the airport project in Alif Alif Mathiveri island has been completed in two days and approved in less than 24 hours.
The agreement was signed with Maldives Aisports Company Limited (MACL) to reclaim land and develop the airport during President Mohamed Muizzu's visit to the island on Tuesday.
The project work began today. Less than five days passed between the announcement for the EIA and the beginning of the project. MACL began the work with just one excavator.
The EIA states that teams visited and surveyed the area during August, but did not specify the dates. They met the island council on August 17 and the report claims that no marine life was discovered in the areas to be reclaimed.
EIA timeline
- Submission of Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) - August 14
- Approval of TOR - August 17
- EIA completed and submitted for approval - August 18
- EIA approved - August 19
According to the EIA, a contractor was not appointed when the EIA was awarded. The first phase will be completed within 18 months. These include land reclamation and coastal protection.
The EIA was conducted by Foresight Surveyors at the request of MACL. The minor errors found in similar rushed EIAs were seen in the EIA report for this project.
MACL is one of the most profitable state companies. The company said it is undertaking airport development and fitness centre development projects to support the government’s strategic development goals.
Earlier, the company began Raa Fainu airport development project in collaboration with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
