MDP Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed has asked the MDP congress to discuss relocating the UAE-based Eagle Hills’ project from Rasmale' to Addu City.
The government signed a commercial terms agreement with Eagle Hills on September 21 to develop the Maldives Waterfront and Marina, a large-scale tourism, residential and commercial project in the Rasmale' area. The project is planned across about 500 hectares and has an envisaged development value of USD20 billion.
Nasheed said the project was not inherently problematic, but has previously raised concerns about its location in the Greater Male' area and the lack of transparency on the agreement details.
Speaking at the MDP’s “Rahvehi Tharahggee” investment forum, which began on Thursday night, Nasheed asked Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar what the city council and residents would think if Eagle Hills agreed to relocate the project to Addu.
Nizar responded that he would not want the project to be brought to Addu in its current form.
Nasheed then asked whether the council would lobby for the project to be moved to Addu. Nizar said the council would not oppose such a move.
“Hopefully they will come,” Nasheed said.
Nasheed has previously said he supports foreign investment and opening the Maldives to a residency programme for foreigners. However, he has questioned the decision to locate the Eagle Hills development in the Greater Male' area, arguing that concentrating economic opportunities in the capital could contribute to further depopulation of the islands.
“The Eagle Hills contract has not been seen yet; it has not been disclosed. From what I have heard so far, I have two issues: one, not getting advance money; two, that it is being built in Male' area,” Nasheed said.
His proposal to relocate the Rasmale' project to Addu comes as former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called for the agreement to be disclosed and said an MDP government should not honour a secret agreement concerning the project.
The government has said it is working with Eagle Hills within the legal framework and that the project will not break any regulation.
