Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has revealed that the budget allocated for over 300 projects this year were insufficient, noting that this was the primary challenge faced to launch new projects.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, Minister Dr. Muththalib stated that the previous administration allocated budgets for the projects, which did not meet the state-revenue. The minister disclosed that when the current administration took office, a total of 242 projects were ongoing and 80 newly-contracted projects were present, with the 322 projects in total ongoing. He stressed that the previous administration allocated only USD 233 million for the projects valued at USD 2.5 billion.
Current ongoing project include:
- 9 airport developmental projects
- Bridge construction
- 29 land reclamation projects
- 42 road developmental projects
- 44 projects on shore protection
- 102 projects related to water and sewerage systems.
Addressing the media, Minister Dr. Muththalib revealed the ministry's objective of exerting maximum efforts to continue as many projects possible without halting, regardless of the financial situation, to fulfil the pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The minister stated that the biggest challenge the ministry faced to launch new projects were outstanding payment, which were present when it assumed office. Highlighting that these outstanding payments total USD 111 million, he mentioned that over USD 19.4 million was earmarked for contractors, irrespective of the amounts being sent to the Ministry of Finance. He added that these payments were not allocated in the supplementary budget proposed by the previous administration last year.
During the press, the ministry provided information on the projects it completed within a year and the projects it aims to complete by year-end. While a total of 37 projects, worth USD 127 million were completed, it aims to complete 21 projects, worth USD 97 million by the end of this year.