State Minister for Finance and Planning and former Feydhoo MP Mohamed Nihad has said that the first shipment of vehicles procured by the Government for large-scale development projects nationwide is expected to arrive in the Maldives later this month.

Speaking on MMTV’s Bodu Khabaru programme, Nihad said major development projects planned across the country require significant amounts of machinery and vehicles. He noted that limited availability and high costs have been among the main challenges faced by contractors undertaking large infrastructure works in the Maldives.

Nihad said the Government has given special priority to resolving this issue through bulk procurement, allowing machinery and vehicles to be purchased at lower prices. He added that the procurement process has now been finalised, with the first vessel carrying vehicles expected to arrive around the 20th of this month. According to him, the arrival of the equipment will allow major development projects to progress at a faster pace.

Commenting on housing-related investments, Nihad said the current Administration had previously requested the former Parliament, which was dominated by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), to allocate MVR 300 million in the budget to expand land reclamation projects to address housing needs. He said the request was not approved and that the funds were instead distributed among various other projects.

Nihad further criticised the previous administration for what he described as missed opportunities to address public needs during its five-year term, adding that he had distanced himself from the party due to disagreements with its policies.

His remarks come amid criticism from the MDP regarding the Government’s plans to install ATMs across all islands, as well as its ongoing Boduthakurufaanu Road development project, which opposition figures have described as insignificant.