The final design of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge to be built between Malé and Hulhumalé has been inaugurated.
The design of the bridge was inaugurated by the Vice President of the Maldives, Ahmed Adheeb and the Chinese Deputy Minister of Commerce, Gao Yan.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gao Yan said that the Maldives and China has always trusted each other and is a great example of the relationships that should be maintained between small and larger countries.
And she said that she hopes that the bridge would be completed as soon as possible.
Vice President Adheeb said that the construction of the bridge has received a lot of criticism over the years but the project will be completed successfully.
“This bridge is very different.” Said that Vice President.
The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is to be 1.39 kilo meters long and 20 meters wide. The Housing Ministry said that the bridge would have two lanes for four-wheel vehicles, two lanes for motorcycles and separate lanes for bicycles and pedestrians on foot.
Vice President Adheeb said that when President Abdulla Yamin was asked what the feasibilities from the bridge was, the President responded that it is not just for transportation but also part of the solution for the housing problems in the Maldives.
He said that when the Chinese President visited the Maldives, President Yamin wanted the most important topic to be of the bridge project. Vice President Adheeb said that the bridge was named China-Maldives Friendship Bridge by the Chinese President Hu Jintao.
In his speech, the Vice President also sent his gratitude to the Ministers on the Economic Council. He said that when President Yamin makes a decision, it has to be carried out.
He said that the monument in the picture is an Islamic monument.
While the bridge would cost USD 300 million, the Chinese Government has agreed to give free aid of USD 100 million. And a loan USD 170 million would be given by the Chinese with an interest of two percent. Finance Minister Jihad has previously said that the Maldivian Government would spend USD 30 million to build the bridge.
The Government has previously said that the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is the most prioritized project of this government.