Sinamale’ Bridge completion before deadline, proof of Dr. Muizzu’s leadership: Muththalib

The completion of Sinamale’ Bridge notably ahead of the scheduled completion date, and within the allocated budget, signifies the leadership skills of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, said Minister of Construction Dr. Abdulla Muththalib.

While the bridge had been constructed during the former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s presidency, the incumbent head of state was the then Minister of Housing, who had a key role in the bridge development initiative.

The minister said this in a post on X commemorating the sixth-year anniversary of the Sinamale’ Bridge, otherwise known as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

“The project’s ahead-of-schedule and within-budget completion is a testament to the leadership of the then Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, President HE Dr. Mohamed Muizzu,” the minister said in his post.

He highlighted the Sinamale’ Bridge was “a transformative project that has profoundly impacted the lives of Maldivians” and enhanced the country’s economic development significantly.

“Realized through the generous assistance of China Aid, this landmark initiative redefined the possibilities for infrastructure in the Maldives, paving the way for sustained economic growth and stability,” Minister Muththalib said, and added that the Sinamale’ Bridge stands as a lasting symbol of the enduring China-Maldives friendship.

The Sinamale’ Bridge, the largest-ever infrastructure development project completed in the Maldives so far, was opened for the public on August 30, 2018 during the former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s presidency. The entire project was completed at a cost of USD 200 million.

The Maldives and China entered into the project’s agreement formally on July 9, 2015 and contracted the CCCC Second Harbor Engineering company on November 23 of the same year, and was completed within three years and 11 months – well ahead of the scheduled completion date.

During the inauguration of the bridge in 2018, former President Yameen said the bridge’s primary objective was to bring an end to the logistical and transportation setbacks Greater Male’ area residents faced on a regular basis.