News Desk
Japan, long synonymous with the Maldives’ iconic Malé sea wall, has deepened its role as a key development partner with a new agreement to prepare for the rehabilitation of the capital’s sea-wall system — critical infrastructure that protects the island from flooding and storm surges.
The Ministry of Construction on Thursday signed an agreement with Japan’s Toyo Construction Company Limited to begin the first phase of the Project for Disaster Resilience Enhancement in Malé, funded under the Government of Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme.
The signing ceremony took place at the ministry. State Minister Ibrahim Thoam Mohamed signed on behalf of the government, while Deputy General Manager Izawa Kan represented Toyo Construction.
The Construction Ministry also released design drawings showing planned changes to several key areas of the sea‑wall system.
Project Details
- Contract value: 700 million Japanese yen
- Duration: 1 year and 4 months
- Main works: Repair and reconstruction of the eastern and northern sea‑wall defences
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided USD 10.5 million to the government for the project, under an exchange of notes signed on 26 July last year. Design and consultancy work has been carried out by Oriental Consultants Global, another Japanese firm.
Japan’s support for Malé’s coastal defences dates back decades. The existing sea‑wall system — constructed between 1998 and 2006 with Japanese assistance — played a crucial role in reducing damage during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
