Ihavandhippolhu project hasn’t been axed, but agreement under review

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed told the Parliament on Tuesday that the government has not halted the project to develop a bunkering facility in Ihavandhippolhu – the northernmost atoll of Maldives, but that the agreement is under review.

Ihavandhippolhu is located next to one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, crossed by hundreds of ships, daily.

Throughout the years, Maldivian administration announced plans to utilize this, but the projects never manifested into reality.

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration announced plans to build a transshipment port in the region, and even earmarked funds for the project in the state budget. But the project was never implemented.

And former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration announced plans to develop a port city in Ihavandhippolhu, which would include a bunkering facility and an oil storage.

Saeed, who was summoned to the Parliament for questioning on Tuesday morning, was asked by Deputy Speaker and Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem regarding a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August between the State Trading Organization (STO) and Qatari giant UrbaCon Trading & Contracting Company (UCC), to develop a bunkering facility in Ihavandhippolhu.

“I checked from STO whether the MoU is active. They said its active,” he said.

“We have not made a decision yet. We are currently reviewing multiple such agreements. This is an MoU signed between two companies.”

Saeed said the MoU was signed “to review” whether a partnership can be made with UCC for the project.

During the time to ask follow-up questions, Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Raee asked whether the government has decided to change the location of the planned port from Ihavandhippolhu to Laamu Atoll.

“The location of the planned Ivanadhippolhu port hasn’t been changed to Laamu Atoll. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has pledged to build a port in Ihavandhippolhu and conduct industrial workers there, and to also a port in Laamu Atoll,” responded Saeed.

Saeed added that the government wishes to initiate the port project as soon as possible.

Yameen’s administration had announced a mega integrated development project called I-Haven in Ihavandhippolhu, which would include a transshipment port, an airport, a bunkering facility, shopping malls, and real estate and tourism projects.