Kaimoo Travels and Hotel Services, the operator of Equator Village, said in a statement last night that the proposed road development overlaps with key operational buildings of the hotel.
The staff quarters of Equator Village fall within the planned site for the main road under the Addu Gan International Airport expansion project, according to the hotel’s management and discussions are currently underway with the government to find a fair resolution, with the issue expected to be settled soon.
Kaimoo Travels and Hotel Services, the operator of Equator Village, said in a statement last night that the proposed road development overlaps with key operational buildings of the hotel. These include the staff accommodation, kitchen, dining area, laundry, garage, staff recreation facilities, and the squash court used by guests.
However, Addu International Airport Company said that the entire staff quarters are not in the way of the road and only few rooms need to be removed.
"The staff quarters they mention are not fully in the way of the road either. [Just] some of the rooms need to be removed. We told [Equator Village] that we will give a space opposite from Blue Lagoon in exchange for the rooms. But they have declined [the offer]," Waheed, the Managing Director of Addu Airports company said yesterday.
Kaimoo said it has worked with the Ministry of Tourism to propose alternative solutions and remains committed to finding a resolution that ensures the continued operation of the hotel. The company said that it has always cooperated in the development of Addu.
The company has managed Equator Village since 1999 and last renewed its lease in 2017. The hotel has 78 rooms.
Addu Airports Company has had no direct negotiations have taken place with Kaimoo. Instead, discussions have been routed through the Tourism Ministry. Talks have dragged on for two years, with no agreement reached on the compensation proposed by Kaimoo.
Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdullah Muthalib had earlier said the road construction would be removed from the project if a decision on the building removal is not finalised by the 17th of this month. This is because the government may have to pay a large compensation to Renaatus, the Indian contractor for the project.
However, the Minister has assured to develop the road under a different project if needed.
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