Govt denies including a dozen islands in Thinadhoo airport deal

The government has denied any agreement to provide 12 islands from Gaafu Dhaalu atoll to the company that was said to carry out the construction of the international airport in Thinadhoo.

The MoU to hand over the construction of the Thinadhoo International Airport to Thailand's Pan Pacific Company was signed on Tuesday.

After signing the agreement, Construction and Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdullah Muthalib said at the ceremony:

When asked about the islands, Minister Muthalib said it has not been decided yet to exchange 12 islands for the airport development. He said:

"The offer of 12 islands is coming from the contractor to make their investment viable. They want to develop resorts in 12 islands in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. But we have not decided to give them," he said.

President Mohammed Muizzu on Tuesday described the project as one that will create thousands of jobs.

Although there are many uninhabited islands, only three resorts are operated in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. The government has not yet announced the names of the 12 islands the company has asked from the atoll to pay in exchange for USD 600-400 million or MVR 9-6 billion cost of the airport development.

The Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Council could not be reached for comment.

While an agreement was signed with the Thai company to develop Thinadhoo airport in exchange for 12 islands from the atoll, the rules for leasing out the islands for economic purposes have been amended recently.

According to the amendment made in section 4 of the Regulations, a person who has been granted permission under the procedure to be followed while making a private sector-initiated proposal and deciding on such proposals can lease out the island.

Previously, the rules stated that uninhabited land could be leased to a person who submitted a detailed proposal under the Unsolicited Proposal Policy.