Government on Saturday defended the move to suddenly repair the road directly in-front of the main opposition Jumhoory Party (JP) camp in the capital Male insisting that the repair had been planned months in advance.
The sudden repairs began as opposition protesters gathered outside the JP camp on Friday evening, following the arrest of JP leader and business magnate, Gasim Ibrahim.
The move understandably drew intense opposition criticism saying that the repairs were a pretext to to hinder peaceful protests in the area.
Housing ministry however, denied the claims insisting that the repairs for 'Fandiyaaru Magu' had been scheduled for Friday before Gasim arrest and subsequent protests.
Housing ministry spokesperson Ahmed Fazal Hussain said the plans had been made months in advance and added that the area was previously not closed off for construction to avoid causing a hindrance to the public due to construction taking place on 'Majeedhee Magu' as well.
The ministry further vowed to complete the repairs as soon as possible.
'Majeedhee Magu', the main road which runs through the middle of Male' City, is currently in the fifth segment of construction. The road is set to be completed after construction is finished across all nine segments of the road.
Gasim had been taken into custody over recent allegations of bribing fellow lawmakers and making incitements to overthrow the government.
He has since been remanded for six days.
