Housing Minister Mohamed Muizzu said that the government has spent MVR 1.7 billion on reclamation projects for 12 islands. 

Minister Muizzu was questioned by parliament members on Wednesday, where he said that 360 hectares have been reclaimed off of Hulhumalé, the capital city’s fast-growing urban extension, as well. He added that the government had installed revetments extending 10.7 kilometers on these reclaimed areas. 

While the minister had received questions about ongoing projects – namely the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge that will connect Malé to Hulhumalé – from pro-government parliamentarians as well, Muizzu had chosen not to answer a considerable number of queries on the grounds that it they are not relevant to the topic in discussion. 

Parliament had on Tuesday questioned Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim over the ministry’s development projects.

Thoriq had made comments that strengthened allegations that there are discrepancies between its projects and the annually allocated budget, after MPs questioned him about ongoing projects that were not included in the ministry’s budget for this year.