Termination of Minaavaru lease followed legal procedures, AG says

Attorney General Ahmed Usham said on Monday that the government’s decision to reclaim N. Minaavaru island from Impex Fisheries, a company owned by Meedhoo MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, was in line with the lease agreement and legal procedures.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture leased the island to Impex Fisheries in February 2010 for a term of 21 years. With six years remaining on the lease, the ministry issued a notice requiring the company to vacate the island and return it to the state within 14 days.

The ministry said the lease was terminated due to non-compliance with the terms of the agreement. Specifically, it stated that valuation and processing activities outlined in the original lease proposal were not being carried out on the island.

Speaking on the ‘Ahaa Forum’ programme, Usham said the termination process was carried out under the terms specified in the agreement.

“Minavaru was leased for specific purposes. The agreement was cancelled following the issuance of notice in accordance with its provisions,” Usham said.

He noted that there are several other islands leased for agricultural purposes where the agreed activities are not being conducted. The government, he said, would continue to take similar actions in accordance with agreements and the law, irrespective of the political or business affiliations of the leaseholders.

“If a company linked to a political figure fails to meet the conditions of an agreement, this government will act in accordance with the relevant procedures,” he added.

Usham also addressed the decision not to renew the lease of Dh. Udhdhoo, stating that its designation as a picnic island for residents of the atoll was made after the expiration of the lease and was not in violation of any agreement.

“Where leases expire, the government may decide not to extend them. That is the case with Udhdhoo,” he said.