Alif Alif Himandhoo Council President has warned that the island is facing severe erosion due to the inadequate progress of its coastal protection project.
Speaking to Adhadhu, Mohamed Akram Ahmed said that the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) is failing to carry out the coastal protection work at an acceptable pace.
"The work is moving very slowly. It has been nearly two years now, and the boat shed in that area is on the verge of collapsing. Even today, a palm tree fell over," Akram said.
The Himandhoo coastal protection project was awarded to MTCC on July 17, 2023. Himandhoo faces severe erosion, particularly in the area where a private fiber factory is located. MTCC had previously noted that 80 percent of that area had already eroded by the time they took over the project.
The project was contracted to MTCC for MVR 26.5 million, with a completion timeline of one year.
Akram noted that the lack of progress has caused extensive damage to the boat shed used by the fiber factory. He added that some equipment stored in the shed has already been swept away by the sea.
"When officials from the Housing Ministry visited the island recently—not even two weeks ago—we showed them the area and expressed our concerns," Akram said, highlighting that the delays have been brought to the ministry's attention.
He further pointed out that while there are staff stationed on the island, the necessary equipment to carry out the work is currently unavailable on-site.
While several development projects initiated by the previous administration have been halted by the current government, residents have expressed growing concern over the sluggish pace of ongoing projects.
However, the government maintains that no development projects have been stopped and insists that all projects are proceeding without discrimination toward any island.
