Preliminary surveys for Nilandhoo Airport Project handed over to MTCC

The preliminary surveys for the Airport Development Project of Nilandhoo Island of Faafu Atoll has been handed over to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).

The Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure handed over the works to MTCC on 04 January 2024.

The agreement was signed by the State Minister at the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure Ibrahim Thoaam on behalf of the Ministry and the CEO of MTCC Abdulla Muththalib on behalf of the company.

Scope of works of the project include, bathymetric survey, topographic survey, aerial mapping and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The value of the project is MVR 378,000.

The Airport Development Project of Nilandhoo Island includes land reclamation and coastal protection works of the proposed airport site.

Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has announced that the physical works for the airport development project is slated to commence before the end of 2024. He has stated that the project is included in this year's infrastructure budget and is being carried out in accordance with the ministry's mission.

In 2018, the former government of Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom announced to finance the airport development of Nilandhoo from the loan aid of OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The then government decided to provide a fund of USD 6.5 million for the project which costs a total of over USD 13 million. OFID granted USD 40 million to the government of Maldives to finance development projects across the country.

Prior to this, the government contracted the Nilandhoo airport development project to Malaysia's Gryphon Energy Corporation. However, the contract was abolished in September 2017, as the company failed to acquire funds for the project.

However, during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih tenure, the government initiated the development of an airport in Magoodhoo Island of Faafu Atoll.

Under the scope of the project, MTCC is required to construct a runway measuring 1,800 square meters, a taxiway measuring 2,919 square meters and an apron measuring 81,443 square meters.

A fire pad measuring 895 square meters, an airport road measuring 3,059 square meters, an 1,185-square-meter service road, a terminal building, a fire building and a security post will also be installed under the project.

The project also entails dredging and excavation operations of 142,381 cubic meters.

MTCC was also contracted to install a fire pond, fire-fighting equipment, security equipment, fencing, perimeter lighting, airfield lightning system, navigational aids, MET equipment, ground handling equipment and road markings as part of the project.

The Magoodhoo airport development project is valued at MVR 264.9 million.