Muizzu: Economic benefit to citizens more important than pride

Economic benefit from the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge to Maldivian citizens is more important to the government than the pride and prestige associated with such a task, says Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Dr. Muizzu made the statement speaking to press following a tour of the bridge worksite last Wednesday.

He noted that a bridge between Male’ and Hulhule’ had been a topic of discussion for years.

And that previous administrations had made random attempts at the project.

“Previous administrations made random, spontaneous attempts. Some administrations conducted surveys and discussions,” said Muizzu.

Muizzu said that no previous administration had, however, made any attempt to actually construct a bridge. And that work of any substance on that front had been borne during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

“The beginning of the bridge project was during President Yameen’s first trip to China after he took office. That’s when the bridge project began. No work on constructing the bridge was done before that,” said Muizzu.

He said the Maldivian citizens themselves were witness to that.

Muizzu said the purpose of the bridge was not the pride or prestige associated with completing such a huge project, but the economic benefit the citizens of the country can derive from it.

“The project will be completed at a quality acceptable to the people. They will derive its full benefit. This is not being done just for the pride. The purpose is its economic benefit, more than pride,” said Muizzu.

Construction of the China-Maldives Bridge is contracted to CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Corporation of China. Though contracted to complete the project by September, 2018, the company has stated it will complete the project in time for July 26, 2018 – Maldivian Independence Day.