HDC to do reclamation work on seven islands

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has said that the government has commissioned the company for reclamation projects in seven islands.

HDC’s Managing Director Suhail Ahmed revealed today that the islands for the reclamation projects are; Thaa Guraidhoo, Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo, Dhaalu Meedhoo, Kaafu Guraidhoo, Kaafu Thulusdhoo, Kaafu Gaafaru and Kaafu Maafushi. The company did not say when the government handed them the projects.

“We have planned to reclaim lands on these seven islands after we finish reclamation work for Hulhumale’ phase two. We’ve signed an agreement with the Housing Ministry to do reclamation of four of the islands and MoU’s for the remaining three. We’ll be able to sign the agreements for these three islands once the contractor quotes a price,” Suhail Ahmed said.

He said that the government has agreed to hand them the 700 housing units to be constructed in Hulhumale’, in exchange for the reclamation work for four of the islands. Finances for the remaining three islands will be granted from the government budget, Suhail said.

“With aid from Exim Bank of China, the government has decided to construct 700 housing units in Hulhumale’. Finances for this has already been guaranteed. It has been decided that these housing units will be handed over to HDC,” Suhail said.

He said that approximately 180 hectares of land will be reclaimed from all seven islands combined.

Parliament Public Accounts Committee questioned HDC after the government commissioned them for the mass project.

Answering the parliament committee, Managing Director Suhail had said that their MoU with the government states that the seven islands will be reclaimed on a contractor-finance basis, for the government to grant them the rent from 700 housing units to be developed in Hulhumale’ in return for the reclamation of four islands, and that the remaining three islands will be reclaimed from the government budget where the government will grant MVR 10 million for each island this year, and the remainder to be granted from next year’s budget.