Ministry of Islamic Affairs has ordered SJ Construction, tasked with developing a 10-storey building in the capital where Zikura Mosque is located, to halt work.

SJ Construction was awarded the MVR 130 million project by the previous administration, in July 2018, and was to complete the first three floors of the building- which is to be a mosque- by Ramadan this year.

Deputy minister at the ministry, Shafiu Ali told RaajjeMV that the company had failed to complete the Zikura Mosque project within the given duration, adding that it has been given 30 days to empty the site- as per the agreement.

While the previous government had given SJ Construction MVR 30 million in advance, Shafiu said that the state will work to get it back as well.

He further said that the ministry plans to award the project to a different company, which is to be decided after opening a bid. 

While the project was awarded to SJ Construction under a contractor finance policy, then Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Ziyad Baghir assured that the first three floors will be completed by Ramadan 2019. 

However, while it has been nearly a year since the project was awarded, SJ Construction is yet to begin any work.

While SJ Construction was given 25 months to complete the entire project, RaajjeMV understands that the delay was due to registration issues.

Zikura Mosque was built in the early 80's, in memory of Abdul Gayoom Ibrahim or Maafaiygey Dhon Seedhi- father of former Presidents, Maumoon and Yameen Abdul Gayoom.