The Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, has said that the completion of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport was made possible through the direct involvement of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new terminal, Shareef explained that when he assumed office in 2023, work on the facility had stalled and the situation presented considerable challenges. He said the project was operating in what he described as a vacuum, with fundamental systems and infrastructure incomplete.

According to Shareef, only 30 per cent of the terminal had been finished when the current Government took office. The remaining work, including critical components such as electricity, sanitation and water systems, required urgent solutions. He noted that the terminal needed a 12-megawatt power system, which was established through initiatives led at the airport.

Shareef stated that many believed the terminal could not become operational due to these difficulties. He described the process of securing resources and completing essential infrastructure as extremely challenging, adding that the President had taken on a significant role in ensuring progress.

The MACL Managing Director said that the current Government accelerated the pace of construction after assuming office, bringing the project to completion after years of delays. He remarked that what had been left incomplete for a decade was transformed within one and a half years.

Shareef also highlighted the guidance provided by the President throughout the process, comparing it to the care of a father for a son. He expressed gratitude for the leadership that, he said, made it possible to complete the new terminal and bring it into service.

He further praised the efforts of MACL employees, stating that their commitment and hard work were instrumental in delivering the project. Shareef described the achievement as one that deserved recognition and appreciation.