Ministry takes control of sand used for Hankede project; Nizar slams it as ‘illegal’ decision

Infrastructure Ministry has taken possession of the sand used for the Hankede bridge project – a decision that the Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar described as “uncivilized” and “illegal”.

In a post on X on Saturday afternoon, Nizar said the ministry took possession of the sand “without prior discussion while the council had been working on reclaiming the sand and using it for the needs of the people.”

He described it as an “uncivilized decision that contradict with existing laws.”

“This is the latest in the attempt to destroy the Decentralization Act. I hereby inform you that the Addu City Council will not comply with orders made outside of the laws, standards and policies. We also ask that you prioritize discussion in decision-making and familiarize yourself with modern standards in running the state,” he said.

Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib responded that the ministry made the decision because it expects to need large quantities of sand to rebuild the Addu link road, and because it isn’t easy to mine sand in the city.

“The ministry will not refuse requests by the council if there is a more pressing need for the people of Addu than the re-development of the link road,” he said.

Nazim’s remark regarding the government’s alleged attempts to undermine the system of decentralization is a claim often made by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which he is a member of.

The Hankede bridge is a 1.4 kilometer four-lane detour bridge that links Gaukedi and Maradhoo.