Coastguard harbour development project begins

The first phase of the project to develop a harbour for the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coastguard has been inaugurated today, by Minister of Defence Mohamed Nazim at a ceremony held this morning in a sandbank in Uthuru Thilafalhu.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nazim said that this is a very special, mega project by MNDF, which will facilitate berthing and repairing for coastguard vessels.

Nazim said that in addition, a warehouse, an oil reserve, a tourist resort, accommodation for MNDF families and a training base for MNDF will be established under this project.

Nazim said that the project is financed not by the government, but by the MNDF welfare company SIWEC through leasing Thanburudhoo.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam said that presently, serious difficulties are being faced by the coastguard and even yesterday, a vessel had to be sent to Sri Lanka for repair, which will cost MVR 500,000 for fuel alone.

He said that the new harbour would make things much easier as well as reduce costs.

Speaking at the ceremony, Male’ Area Commander Ali Zuhair said that the first phase will be completed in 40 days.

He said that 1-hectare of land will be reclaimed, and a 50-ft harbour dedicated for the coastguard and a 30-meter wide channel will be constructed under this phase.

The first phase of the project will be carried out by CPS Maldives Private Limited.

The total cost of the project is MVR 5 million, said MNDF.