It would cause irreversible damage to the construction industry if the Civil Court grants an order to halt all construction work in capital city Malé, the Maldives Association of Construction Industry (MACI) says.

MACI held a press conference on Monday where it highlighted that the industry would come to a stand still if the order is granted.

The Maldivian construction sector is vital to the economy and contributes significantly to GDP and to socio-economic development.

Mohamed Ali Janaah, a MACI board member, said that there are lot companies and workers within the sector that adhere to regulations and stopping all construction would be unfair.

Local lawyers have filed a case with the Civil Court seeking an order to halt all construction work in capital city Malé, until the state’s safety code is completed.

The lawyers, two individuals and two law firms, have asked the court for an order to halt all construction work in Malé for 30 days.

The fact was revealed after a 7-year-old girl was hit by a bag of cement, which fell from a construction site on Sunday. She went through multiple surgeries before succumbing to her injuries on Monday.

MACI is part of the state’s ongoing effort to inspect and ensure that sites in capital city Malé are in adherence to safety regulations.