Gov’t Awards Contract to Build 300-Capacity Mosque on Island with Fewer Than 200 Residents

The government has contracted a private company to build a mosque capable of accommodating 300 worshippers on Baa Fehendhoo, an island with a residential population of fewer than 200 people.

According to the 2022 census, Fehendhoo’s residential population stands at 198, though the island council reports a registered population of around 320. The mosque project, valued at MVR 8.53 million, has been awarded to SASe Construction without a competitive bidding process.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The mosque is among 206 projects the government has awarded directly, which also include the development of a futsal stadium and an outdoor volleyball court on Fehendhoo. The futsal stadium project was awarded to Maldives Assure Supply for MVR 1.78 million, while the volleyball court was awarded to the same company for MVR 1.28 million.

Fehendhoo Council stated that a larger mosque was necessary despite the island’s small population, as it would also serve visiting tourists and residents from nearby islands. The island has recently seen an increase in guesthouse tourism.

The list of 206 direct-award projects also includes a waste and resource management centre in Haa Dhaalu Hirimaradhoo, valued at MVR 4 million. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu later decided to relocate the facility to Hanimaadhoo, citing Hirimaradhoo’s extremely small population. The government has defended such projects, stating that essential services will continue to be provided on islands where residents still live.

Concerns have been raised over several projects awarded without competitive bidding, including contracts given to companies linked to ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) lawmakers. 

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced plans to challenge these decisions in court. However, audit reports indicate that similar practices occurred during the previous MDP administration, which also awarded contracts to its own members without a bidding process.