Gulhifalhu harbour dries up, sparks concern

Owners of the many business warehouses on Gulhifahlhu have expressed concerns over the drying up of the island harbour.

Some businessmen operating from Gulhifalhu told Avas that boats had been unable to dock in the island due to difficulties caused by the small beach formed around the harbour. They complained that the main difficulty was in the unloading of cargo, which has now become a strenuous effort.

"We have invested MVR3-4 million here (Gulhifalhu). But it is now difficult to unload cargo. So it has become a bit of a problem," a businessman on condition of anonymity told Avas. He revealed that the Gulhifalhi harbour had started filling up with sand around four months ago, and that it had been brought to the attention of the island operator Gulhifalhu Corporation.

"The Gulhifalhu Corporation only informed us that it had not been long since they had taken over the management," the businessman said.

Another businessman said that it was now difficult for travelers to land on the island as well.

"It's not only difficult to load and unload cargo, it is difficult for people to come ashore as well."

He explained that the problem was down to a lack of sea wall around the island to prevent sand from being washed up to the harbour.

"We now have to unload cargo at a small area specified by MTCC. Because cargo has to be unloaded by hand, the time taken to unload cargo increases drastically. This is a huge loss," the businessman said.

Gulhifalhu Corporation was not immediately available for comment.

Gulhifalhu is an island which had been reclaimed from the sea during the tenure of former President Mohamed Nasheed who had intended to use the island to accommodate Male's growing population.

Named the Eye of Maldives, the project was assigned to British company, Global Projects Development Company. However, due to delays in the construction of flats, the island was seized from the company and given to the Gulhifalhu Corporation.