Addu development will halt if separate councils are made: Dr. Hassan

Former Attorney General Hassan Saeed has expressed concern regarding the Addu Council referendum to seek opinion on whether Addu islands get their own councils, stating it would greatly impact the development of Addu.

In a letter he had sent to residents of his native island Feydhoo, Hassan said that the biggest project that is underway in an inhabited island via a private entity is at Addu, with it being a 1,000-bed resort.

He also stated that there are 14 collaborators from various Addu tourism zones, with Hassan leading it.

He said that the project at the Feydhoo tourism zone started two years ago after buying plots at a heavy cost.

Hassan went on to say that the project that is in progress with investors will see, in just next year,  536 tourist beds, one of the biggest restaurants in Maldives and gymnasiums, a spa, diving center, water sports and other services in the Feydhoo tourism zone.

Hassan said that they are working to establish a sizable amount of tourist beds and services in the Hithadhoo and Meedhoo tourism zones as well. One of the services is to provide direct international flight routes to Gan, double the atoll's bed capacity and work to bring tourists to resorts and guesthouses in Fuvahmulah and Huvadhoo by sea and air.

Hassan said that the biggest challenge these projects are facing right now is the Addu Council referendum that is to be held on Saturday. 

"While we are working as hard as we can, the biggest challenge that we are facing is due to the referendum vote on the 25th regarding changes to island and city council jurisdiction and administrative framework," the letter said.

Hassan stated that it is not the wealthy who are leading the establishment of 1,000 tourist beds in the atoll, but ordinary and sincere natives from the atoll itself. And so, Hassan said it is important that politics be put aside when these people are working hard to increase the atolls economic value and to help each other in unity.

As per Hassan, even though there were two resorts that were opened 20 years ago and in service, they have now been shut down. The entire atoll only has one resort that is up and running.

Henkede, which was awarded to them in 2005 in order to build 75 rooms, still has not been developed, and there is no one interested in the reclaimed land for resort development, as per the letter.

And so, Hassan said that while people are working to develop the atoll even with these challenges, instead of finding solutions, he posed the question as to why are efforts being made to pit islands and people against each other, foster arguments and push people to violence.

While the Addu Council referendum has been approved and moving forward via the government, opinions have begun to shift within the people from Addu after the fact.