Minister of Construction and Infrastructure, Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, has announced a significant initiative to address the expenses associated with government offices. The plan involves the construction of a spacious office building, set to commence this year.
According to the Minister, funds have been allocated in the state budget for the construction of the new office building. Once a suitable land plot is secured, the design phase will kick off, with the entire building expected to be completed within two years.
Minister Dr. Muththalib pointed out the financial strain on the government, revealing an annual expenditure of USD 13 million on maintaining government offices. To tackle this challenge, he emphasized the government’s commitment to relocating offices after the new building is completed, thus eliminating the need for expensive rentals that currently burden the state budget. In the interim, the existing premises will undergo renovations to serve as a temporary solution.
It’s worth noting that several government offices were previously housed in the now-demolished Huravee and Ghaazee buildings, which were deemed unfit for use due to wear and tear. As a consequence, the government is currently incurring significant costs for the rental of alternative office spaces.
In a historical context, the previous government had initiated the construction of the Umar Zahir Office Building in Hulhumale’, which presently accommodates three government ministries. This earlier effort aimed to streamline office spaces and operational costs.
