Adhurey: Opposition responsible for the halting Nilandhoo airport project

Vice President of PPM, Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) has said that the reason for the halt in the airport development project in Faafu Nilandhoo has been the opposition and they should take responsiblity for it.

Speaking at a press conference at the PPM Office today, Adhurey said that the Nilandhoo airport project was never on the state budget but part of the development in Faafu atoll by the Saudi government. And that project has come to a stop due to the opposition.

He said that it was the opposition that said Maldivian land is being sold to another country and brought a halt to the project.

However, the 2017 state budget had MVR 171,544,949 to develop an airport in Faafu Nilandhoo.

Adhurey said that the government is in talks to resume the airport development by highlighting the importance of the airports in the country. He said that projects funded by foreign aid will continue this year as well.

Some media outlets have reported that the MP for Nilandhoo constituency, Abdulla Khaleel is unhappy that the President left out the airport project in his address at the parliament. MP Khaleel was not present at the PPM press event today. However, he was on a political program on Channel 13 last night.

The airport projects mentioned in President's Yameen address at the parliament are Haa Alifu Hoarafushi, Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi, Noonu Maafaru, Shaviyani Funadhoo and Gaafu Dhaalu Maavaarulu.