'Projects will reach 80% completion with this year's budget' - Planning Minister

Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam has stated that he does not believe it is possible to fully complete the projects undertaken for the year due to budget constraints.

Parliamentarians expressed concern that practical work on some projects planned for the year have not been commenced thus far.

Speaking at the parliament, Aslam said the projects can be completed up to 80% as a result of inadequate fund allocated in this year's budget.

Answering the lawmakers' questions, Aslam said the ministry is working hard to fulfill pledges made by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

In this regard, the contracts signed for development projects reach over MVR 600 million, and MVR 565 million was allocated in this year''s budget to construct harbors in islands, revealed the minister.

"We made the decision to implement the projects with bigger budgets first, and to hold off projects which received smaller funding nearer to the end of the year", said Aslam.

Aslam said the funding allocated in this year's budget will bring the projects up to 75-80% completion.

"We expect the projects to reach 80% completion this year. We do not believe it is likely that 100% completion can be reached", said Aslm.

Aslam said 59 harbor projects were included in this year's budget, out of which 19 projects have been contracted to parties, and 22 projects are in the tender process. The remaining 18 projects will be sent to the tender process soon, said Aslam.