A team from Ministry of Environment has visited Maafaru International Airport to conduct further research on the expansion of the runway.
The research team travelled to Maafaru in the wake of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advising the government not to proceed with the expansion. However, Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure has appealed the decision of EPA at the environment ministry on December 30. The environment ministry is required to make a decision on the appeal within 15 working days.
The environment ministry said the research team travelled to Maafaru to conduct further research on the expansion before a final decision is made. In this regard, the team will meet Maafaru Island Council and the citizens, and gather information.
The team will compile a report on its findings, and a decision will be made and forwarded to EPA. The decision made by the environment ministry will be implemented by EPA.
In its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the expansion of the runway at Maafaru International Airport, EPA stated in detail the impact on the environment of the island if the project to expand the airport is continued. In this regard, EPA stated a land area of 8.7 hectares is needed for the expansion, with trees and greenery needed to be cleared from an area of 4.8 hectares.
Furthermore, land plots given to the residents of the island also need to be taken back, which is an area dense in trees. EPA also noted more land needs to be reclaimed from the lagoon for the expansion project which would damage the natural habitat of different species of turtles.
EPA said although the expansion of the airport would provide more job opportunities, it comes with grave social and environmental consequences. EPA advised environment ministry and planning ministry to review if the expansion is of great importance to the economy of the country despite the consequences.
The expansion of Maafaru International Airport was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih last March. The UAE Government has pledged financial assistance for the project.
Maafaru International Airport was developed with a 3,200 metre runway. The airport was developed from a USD 60 million grant provided by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). The airport began operations on December 1.