Magoodhoo residents protest to obstruct government from removing construction materials, including gravel and sand, brought to the island for airport development
Local residents are refusing to allow any equipment or materials to be removed from the island until the airport project is fully completed, amid reports that the items are being diverted for a road construction project in AA. Ukulhas. While the community expresses growing frustration over the stalled airport development, the government had previously pledged to finish the project within a year; however, no significant progress has been made to date.
An MTCC barge arrives to collect the sand and gravel brought for the development of F. Magoodhoo Airport. | RaajjeMV | RaajjeMV
Residents of F. Magoodhoo have staged a protest to prevent the government from removing construction materials, including sand and gravel, brought to the island for the development of its airport.
An MTCC barge arrived at the island on Friday morning.
The island council told RaajjeMV that physical work on the Magoodhoo airport development project has stalled, while land reclamation efforts have recently commenced to coincide with the upcoming local council elections. Emphasizing that the residents' primary priority is the completion of the airport, the council noted that work has been halted for a significant period after only a portion of the runway was finished, describing the ongoing delay as a major concern.
The council stated that a significant quantity of gravel and equipment brought for the airport development project remains on the island, noting that MTCC had previously indicated there would be a surplus of materials upon the project's completion. However, the council asserted that no materials or equipment may be transferred to another island while physical work remains stalled and the project is yet to be fully completed.
The council stated that MTCC had previously attempted to transport sand and gravel using both a boat and a barge on several occasions. According to the council, another barge arrived on Friday morning to transport additional sand, gravel, and equipment. However, a large number of residents gathered at the harbor area and blocked the barge from docking, effectively halting the operation.
Furthermore, the council stated that no materials brought for the airport project would be allowed to be transported to another island, asserting that the residents would not permit such an action. Consequently, the council confirmed that the barge is currently stationed outside the harbor. The council further noted they had received information that the attempt to relocate the aggregate and sand was intended to launch a project to modernize the roads of AA. Ukulhas, timed to coincide with the upcoming local council elections.
The residents of Magoodhoo, a community of approximately 900 people, have previously staged protests expressing their grievances over the continued suspension of the island's airport project.
The construction of Magoodhoo Airport commenced during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. However, the project was stalled following the change in government. During a visit to Faafu Atoll more than a year into his term, President Muizzu traveled to the island on September 21, 2024, and announced that the Magoodhoo Airport project would be completed within a maximum of 12 months.
