The Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure, Dr Abdulla Muththalib has expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work done on the 4,000 flats being developed in Hulhumale’ Phase II.
The project, overseen by Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC), was contracted to two Indian companies. While a total of 32 trowels are being developed, this includes two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats. The project is currently the largest social housing project being implemented in the Male’ area. The structural and finishing works of the flats have now reached completion.
Of the 32 towers, 16 are being constructed by Kalpataru Projects International Limited (KPIL). The company's towers are under the name, Amaan Udhares. The remaining 16 towers are being constructed by the National Buildings Construction Corporation of India (NBCC). The 16 towers of NBCC are named Amaan Dhoadhi.
Speaking to the media on the project, the Construction Minister said the project was not progressing adequately when the current administration took office. However, the Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation and the contractors have accelerated the pace of work, the Minister noted.
"The progress is significant compared to the pace when we took over. FDC and contractors are working closely and with care to ensure a high-quality work. We are very satisfied with the speed and standard of the work,” the Minister said.
When the current administration took office, only 33 percent of the overall construction had been completed. Since then, the government has prioritised the project and taken measures to its pace. As of now, 96 percent of the work of the Amaan Dhoadhi towers and 95 percent of the work of the Amaan Udhares towers have been completed over an 18-month period. Currently, the only pending work is the connection of utility services to households.
The Minister noted that the original design of the project did not include utility services connections within its scope. Therefore, these connections are now being carried out as a separate project, as a collaboration between State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) and Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), the Minister revealed.
As the flats near completion, the Construction Ministry is preparing to draw up agreements with the recipients and hand over the flats to them from July onward.
Minister Muththalib said the handover of the flats will be in phases. The flats will be handed over as utility connections are connected to the towers, he said. Considering the current pace, all flats can be fully handed over by end of September, he added.