Toriq: Kulhudhuffushi Airport will increase income for locals

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s purpose for the planned airport in H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi is to increase the income of the people of Kulhudhuffushi, says Minister of Economic Development, Toriq Ibrahim.

In a televised interview on PSM News, Toriq said the opposition politicians criticized and attempted to halt every government project, including the Kulhudhuffushi Airport Project.

“Likewise, I see them using certain parties to stop the Kulhudhufushi Airport Project. But we see the island and institutions wanting the project,” said Toriq.

Toriq said the government had two options on how to build the airport in Kulhudhuffushi; one – to reclaim land from the lagoon; and two – to reclaim land from part of the mangrove. He said the government decided that reclaiming land from the mangrove was the better option.

Minister Toriq acknowledged the public’s concern over possible environmental damage from reclaiming part of the mangrove for the airport. But, said the government was working on minimizing the environmental damage.

“As you well know, every development project will result in some extent of environmental damage. An IRA report is done for every project to assess possible environmental impact. From the IRA report, we note possible environmental impacts and evaluate ways to minimize damage,” said Toriq.

He also addressed concern over possible drainage issues leading to flooding as a result of reclaiming part of the mangrove. He said MTCC has been ordered to identify solutions for the problem.

“We keep a close eye on such important issues. Drainage is important, and it will be given priority,” said Toriq.

He said reclaiming land from a mangrove for a development project was not new to the country, pointing out that the Equatorial Convention Center in Addu City for the SAARC Summit was built on land reclaimed from a mangrove.

He said building an airport in Kulhudhuffushi would bring great progress to the island, and that a lot of locals were in favor of the project.

“This is a successful project. This will be a success. In Sha Allah, this project, which is in President Yameen’s manifesto for the island i.e., a presidential pledge, this project which many thought was impossible, will be done,” said Toriq.

MTCC’s dredger “Maha Jarraf” is currently in Kulhudhuffushi to start the project. MTCC’s CEO, Ibrahim Ziyath reports the land reclamation project will be completed within six months.