Muththalib lies to Majlis, claiming Dhidhdhoo Airport development was not awarded under contractor finance

Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has claimed that the development of Dhidhdhoo Airport in Haa Alif atoll was not awarded to any party under the basis of contractor financing.

In a letter sent to the People’s Majlis on 24 February 2025, Muththalib further stated that while the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) was awarded the contract for land reclamation and coastal protection work of Dhidhdhoo Airport on 19 April 2024, the physical work has not yet commenced.

Although the land reclamation and revetment work was assigned to MTCC, Muththalib also said that a feasibility study for the project had not been conducted.

While Muththalib has informed the parliament that the development of Dhidhdhoo Airport had not been assigned to any party under contractor financing, this statement was unequivocally false.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has signed a framework agreement with a Chinese company for the Dhidhdhoo Airport Project. Many people have seen the photos of the signing event.

MP for Dhidhdhoo constituency Abdul Latheef Mohamed also participated in the signing ceremony held at the Airport Company.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Airports Company by the company's Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed.

The government has not disclosed any details regarding the framework agreement.

Reports have surfaced alleging corruption involving millions of dollars in the project, which was awarded under highly questionable circumstances.

During his visit to Dhidhdhoo in late January 2025, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also stated at a meeting with the island's residents that a framework agreement had been signed with a foreign party.

At the meeting, he also said that his next visit to Dhidhdhoo would be by aircraft landing at the island's airport, to inaugurate the airport.

Highlighting that this is part of the current government's vision for regional development in the atoll, Muizzu assured that building an airport in Dhidhdhoo is an essential necessity, and went on to give assurance about making it happen during that trip as well.

In this regard, the president stated that several workers have already been organized to begin the practical development work of Dhidhdhoo Airport. He also revealed that a framework agreement has been established between MTCC and a foreign party, with progress having reached the stage where practical work can now commence.