The government has begun making arrangements to import rock boulders from Pakistan for coastal protection projects, Minister Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has said, as difficulties sourcing materials from India and the United Arab Emirates disrupt supplies.
Responding to a question from a member of the public at the “Ahaa” forum Monday night, Muththalib said securing the rocks needed to protect islands against coastal erosion and the impacts of climate change had become increasingly challenging.
According to the minister, supplies from India have been disrupted by restrictions imposed by the Tamil Nadu government, while shipments from the UAE have also faced obstacles.
The export ban by the Tamil Nadu government has been in place for a considerable period. We had expected that the restriction would be lifted by the end of last month, allowing imports to the Maldives to resume. However, it has been extended for another two months
Muththalib said difficulties affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had also complicated imports from the UAE, as vessels departing from the main loading port used for these shipments must pass through the waterway.
The government is now pursuing supplies from Pakistan as an alternative.
The supply difficulties follow earlier disruptions to infrastructure work.
In April, Muththalib told Parliament that shortages of boulders had stalled projects on several islands and that the government was exploring alternative supply arrangements to resume work.
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