Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed revealed that Indian company, Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao (GMR) sent in a quotation to construct Sinamale bridge for MVR77 million.
Mr. Nasheed stated this while speaking in India’s Think Tank Annual Conference.
The bridge project was carried out by the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Ltd, hence indebting the country to CCCC by MVR300 million.
He further explained that due to this, the interest of the loan and construction money is greater, the payment of which is up to the government.
After this statement, the Ambassador of China Mr. Zhang Lizhong responded via Twitter, stating that the project cost USD200 million, of which over 57% was given as aid. He then stated that the Maldives only owed China USD100 million for the bridge project.
