Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has commenced work on closing old navigation channels in Fuvahmulah City. The project was officially inaugurated by Vice President Faisal Naseem on October 26.
The project is carried out under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of MTCC. Under this project, four old channels that were used for navigation of vessels in and out of the island will be closed off using tetrapods.
Speaking at the ceremony held to inaugurate the project, Fuvahmulah City Mayor Ismail Rafeeq noted the old channels have led to several accidents due to the strong currents in the channels. He stated the closure of these channels would ensure the safety of people swimming in nearby areas.
The old channels were dredged during the 1980s to facilitate navigation of vessels in and out of the island. Several accidents have occurred in and near the channels due to strong currents pulling people swimming the area into the surrounding ocean.