Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has withheld information regarding the start date of the harbor development project in Thinadhoo island of Vaavu atoll.

Muththalib responded to questions from members during Wednesday's sitting of the People’s Majlis, noting that projects are being carried out in a way that benefits as many citizens as possible.

The minister stressed that the most important responsibility of the state is to carry out matters included in the state budget based on the principle of benefiting the majority of Maldivian citizens.

He added that contracts were signed for only a few projects this year.

As lawmakers noted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had promised to proceed with the V. Thinadhoo harbor work this concluding year, Minister Muththalib said that priority has been given to continue ongoing projects rather than immobilized projects and said that the project could not be carried out within the budget.

Minister Muththalib said that efforts will be made to proceed with the V. Thinadhoo harbor project in 2025, and that a large budget has been allocated for PSIP projects in the 2025 budget.

Further, the minister stated that next year, projects will be prioritized in the order they were signed, in a way that benefits the citizens.

At a time Thinadhoo’s community continues to face significant difficulties due to the lack of a modern harbor on the island, Minister Muththalib has failed to provide full assurance that the project would proceed next year as well.