Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture, on Monday, revoked the earlier decision to lease the island of Maaddoo in Baa Atoll for agricultural purposes.
The decision was announced in the wake of Baa Atoll Island Council expressing opposition to the move, highlighting that the likelihood that the leasing would fail to produce economic benefits while depriving the atoll's citizens from accessing the island.
Baa Atoll Island Council President Mabrook Naseer stated that although a total of six islands in the atoll were already designated for agricultural use, only one of them was operational, while the remaining were used as 'holiday homes' by wealthy individuals.
He also expressed concern that the leasing of the six aforementioned islands failed to create a substantial number of job opportunities, despite some islands being designated over 20 years prior.
Presently one of the only islands in Baa Atoll not being utilised for either residential, industrial, agricultural or tourism-related purposes, Maaddoo is commonly frequented by the atoll's residents for leisure - in addition to having a history of being used by locals for such purposes.
Following the lease of Maaddoo, the council president stated that no islands were available to serve the recreational needs of more than 15,000 Baa Atoll residents, despite wealthy individuals from the capital city of Male' still being able to vacation at islands which citizens are barred from accessing.
A total of 127 bids were submitted for Maaddoo, a significant portion by prominent businessmen and parliamentarians. However, the proposal guidelines allow only 30 percent, from the 27 hectares of land area available on the island, to be used for cultivation.
According to council president Mabrook, he had conveyed concerns regarding the matter even before the decision was made to lease Maaddoo for agricultural work.
He noted that he had requested three islands to be left for exclusive use by the people of the atoll during meetings with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed and several parliamentarians.
Mabrook stated that he had not received replies to the letters sent to the President's Office and the Agriculture Ministry following the announcement regarding the leasing of Maaddoo.
After attempts to communicate through official channels failed, the council president voiced his opinions via social media.
Akin to most Maldivians, the people of Baa Atoll, Maldives' busiest area for resorts and guesthouses and home to the country's first-ever UNESCO Biosphere reserve, have for many years contributed in no small amount to the national GDP. It is a well-known fact that the majority of the country's incoming revenue is attributed to collections from across the island nation's tourism industry.
Sign In