The parliament’s majority party has said its decision to remove Fushidhiggaru lagoon reclamation project from the 2024 State Budget was aimed at focusing the ongoing reclamation projects of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon, and the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) initiatives in the atolls.
Both Giraavaru lagoon and Gulhifalhu commenced reclamation efforts during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.
The Ministry of Finance earlier proposed an allocation of MVR 400 million for Fushidhiggaru project, planned for 2024. The budget did not include how the new government would raise or secure this fund for the initiative.
However, the reclamation project, part of a 20-year development plan envisioned by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, is one of the most important initiatives of the new administration. It was also included in the roadmap of objectives for the first 100-day of the new administration as well.
Parliament’s Budget Review Committee dismissed the project on Thursday, last week.
After excluding the project, its allocation has been redistributed to other initiatives including the completion of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon reclamation.
According to the members of the parliament’s majority party, its decision to dismiss the new reclamation project was aimed at prioritizing the ongoing urban development efforts of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon along with the already launched housing schemes.
The Budget Review Committee allocated MVR 200 million out of the initial allocation for Fushidhiggaru project towards the completion of Gulhifalhu and Giraavaru lagoon, and the remaining MVR 200 million was added into the PSIP budget.