15,000 sqft plot in Hithadhoo for Google Project

A 15,000 square foot plot has been arranged for the establishment of an international submarine cable station by Google in Addu Hithadhoo.

During yesterday's Addu City Council official meeting, the council's Land and Transport Committee Chair and Hithadhoo Koravau constituency Ibrahim Shinaz said that the plot was registered to the Housing Ministry and is a part of the reclaimed land in Hithadhoo. He also stated that the council has requested the plot registry be changed to the Economic Ministry.

He stated that the ministry has not officially disclosed what they are using the plot for to the council as of yet.

Nevertheless, Shinaz said that it is known that the government has decided to use the plot in order to establish Google's international submarine cable station.

Shinaz stated that discussions have been held with other committee members regarding the revenue generated from the plot for the Google project to go from the government to the council, with the committee reaching a consensus and passing it as such. They did this as they did not want to give away the property in such a way that it does not benefit Addu's residents.

During yesterday's Addu City Council meeting, Hithadhoo Rasgedhari constituency councillor Hussain Zareer said that the 15,000 sqft plot given to Google is a plot that will generate a monthly revenue of MVR 1.1 million. He said that he does not see the point in giving away a plot that generates that much revenue in such a way that it does not benefit the development of Addu.

With these concerns and after discussions with other council members, yesterday's meeting passed for the plot to be given to Google so that revenue can be given to the council.

The announcement that Google will be establishing an international submarine cable landing station and a network facility in Addu City Hithadhoo was released on Monday.

The Economic Ministry released a statement welcoming Google's decision, with the statement reading that the project is something that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had discussed and reached the conclusion to move forward with Google Executives during his visit to New York.