Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam has revealed that the area that was previously planned to be developed as an industrial village will be converted into a public space.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office on Sunday, Minister Aslam said a large area of the industrial village has now been cleared. The current administration intends to develop the area as a recreational area where residents of the city can spend time leisurely, and will include parks and sports arenas, said the minister.
Aslam said the ministry is in discussion with Male' City Council on developing the space into a public area. Criticizing the former government's plans to establish an industrial village, Minister Aslam described the industrial zone designed by the government of former president Abdulla Yamen Abdul Gayyoom as wasteful and useless.
Noting that the development of industrial zone contracted to a Chinese company by the former government for US$ 186 million cannot be utilized beneficially, Aslam questioned the former government's intention in establishing an industrial zone. While the time period during which work on the industrial zone began coincided with the conclusion of the Sinamale' bridge project, Aslam said he did not understand the need to develop an industrial village in Male' at such a high cost while industrial zones were included in the plans for Hulhumale' Phase Two.
Aslam said attempting to develop the industrial village at the current time would cause congestion on the ring road of Male', Aslam said the Japanese company that worked on the water break in the area had advised against establishing an industrial zone at the location, deeming it an unsuitable location to carry out such work.
Male' Industrial Zone - Photo: Ahmed Shurau | AVAS
