Parliamentary motion seeks Fushidhiggaru Falhu deal details

A motion has been filed in the Parliament demanding an inquiry into whether the Fushidhiggaru lagoon project initiated by the current government is being carried out in the best financial interest of the state after allegations that there is not enough transparency on the project..

The matter moved by the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament and Hoarafushi Constituency Member Ahmed Saleem has been agendaed for Thursday's session.

Saleem filed the complaint saying that the project started on 18th of this month without knowing how the project was planned, developed and how people were hired to dredge the land. The resolution noted that:

“There is room to consider that this was done under a special arrangement,” Saleem said in his complaint.

In addition, the company awarded the contract will be given 10 hectares of land in Hulhumale and 60 hectares of land in Fushidhiggaru.

When the budget for next year was sent to parliament, MVR 400 million was budgeted for the project. However, the decision to continue the project was challenged by the parliament. Saleem described this as a violation of the Constitution's arrangement of state powers and the government's responsibility to hold each other accountable.

"This is also a violation of democratic norms and good governance. I call on the government to disclose the details of the Fushidhiggaru lagoon project and consider it the duty of the parliament to ensure that the project is being carried out in the most financially beneficial manner," Saleem said.

17 minutes away from Male by ferry, the dredging of this lagoon near Gulhi was scheduled to be completed within eight months.

The 'Ras Male' is to be developed two meters high on the edges and three meters high in the middle to protect it from climate change.