MTCC denies halt in Magoodhoo airport project

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) says it hasn’t dropped the project to develop an airport in F. Magoodhoo, nor has it received instructions from the government to stop the work.

The denial comes after sources from Magoodhoo, including the local council, claimed the project was halted last week. The council’s president Abdulla Waheed alleged the move involved political influence.

However, MTCC has denied the allegation.

On Sunday, MTCC’s CEO Abdulla Ziyad told Sun that the Magoodhoo airport is still in the company’s project list.

“This airport is still in our project list and no formal instructions has been given to stop this work,” he said.

Ziyad said he was “perplexed” about the questions raised about the airport, but declined to make any further comment amid the growing controversy.

“Therefore, as a contractor party, we cannot give a statement. Due to mounting controversy, I am avoiding giving any update on progress,” he said.

The MVR 231 million project to develop an airport in Magoodhoo was contracted to MTCC on October 19, 2022.

According to the terms of the contract, MTCC is required to complete the project in 550 days.

The project involves building a 1,500-meter-long and 30-meter-wide runway, a passenger terminal, a control tower, a fire station, and installation of security equipment, supply and installation of navigational equipment, installation of MET equipment, and supply and installation of ground handling equipment.