Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has emphasised the importance of finalising the budget and plan before initiating any government project. He made the remarks while responding to a question at the Parliament of the Maldives regarding the delay in the project to build a causeway connecting Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo in Thaa Atoll.
The project to link Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo with a 3km causeway was included in the state budget for 2022. Around USD65,000 has been allocated for the project, which aims to establish convenient means of transport between the two islands, which have a combined population of over 2,700.
Speaking at the Parliament, Minister Aslam said that the government is currently working on the plan to complete the project and that the main issue was that the uninhabited island in between Veymandoo and Kinbidhoo named Elaa has been leased for resort development. He said that discussions have now been made with the tourism ministry to not develop a resort at Elaa.
Furthermore, Minister Aslam said that the preliminary assessment of a survey has determined that the project will cost USD33 million, as USD11,000 will need to be spent for each metre of the causeway. He also said that the starting date for the fieldwork can only be determined after the funds are allocated, but that the project will progress quickly after it begins.
Additionally, Minister Aslam said that the government is working to complete numerous projects to fulfill the pledges made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He noted that highly technical work needs to be completed beforehand and that budgets and plans need to be set before initiating the projects.