Government decides against leasing around 60 islands awarded without bids

The Government has decided against the leasing of around 60 islands for resort development after the previous administration had awarded the islands absent a bidding process. A prominent official of the Tourism Ministry said that decision to cancel the proposals of such islands has been made to conform to the same decision made by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) earlier.

“We have decided to cancel the proposals of the islands without agreements. In addition, a decision pertaining to the islands where agreements have been made would be taken after the ongoing discussions with the ACC,” official detailed.

However, even if the government has not disclosed the number of islands, Haveeru has been able to confirm that around 60 islands have been up for debate.

The official further said that the matter had been discussed with the ACC recently, but a decision in relation to the 10 islands where agreements have been made is yet to be taken.

President of the ACC Hassan Luthfy recently said that the commission had asked the National Planning Council (NPC) not to lease islands for resort development without a proper bidding process when the commission first became aware of the plan.

“Later we found out through the media that the NPC had ignored our instructions and commenced with their plan so the ACC has taken initiative to investigate the matter and we will litigate whoever is responsible,” he said.

He noted that the processes of handing over the islands to the companies have not been completed.

The NPC was to hand over islands for resort development under the condition that the company receiving the island is to carry out a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in an inhabited island.

“Some companies have been given a statement that says the island will be handed over, some companies have signed the lease agreement but the joint venture company stipulated under the agreement has not been created. The process of transfer has not been completed,” said Luthufy.

Around 10 islands were to be handed over to 10 companies under the project.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb had earlier alleged that resorts had been leased by the previous government without a proper plan.
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