Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam has said the government targets to open two out of the six airports announced last December by the end of the year.
The government last year announced that domestic airports would be developed in HDh. Makunudhoo, Dh. Bilehfahi, B. Thulhaadhoo, Th. Vilufushi, F. Magoodhoo, and in R. atoll.
At the Parliament sitting held Wednesday, Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef inquired from the minister regarding the airport projects. He noted that several months had passed since the projects were announced and asked the minister when the projects would be handed over to contractors.
In his response, Minister Aslam said the ministry had received proposals for all six airports. However, the agreement stage has not been reached yet, he said.
Aslam said an agreement had been signed to dredge land to build the airport in Magoodhoo. Although the project agreements for airport development have not been signed thus far, he assured that the government was utilizing the state budget to accomplish as much as possible. In this regard, two airports will be opened this year, and Magoodhoo Airport's land reclamation will be completed by the end of next year, he added.
'We will implement the six airport projects that were announced. If one model fails, we will adopt another. I can comment on when the VIlifushi airport work would begin when we reach the agreement stage for the proposals we have received,' the minister said.
