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Former President and MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed said the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project signed with UAE-based Eagle Hills is good in principle, but expressed strong dissatisfaction over the failure to follow competitive bidding and public tender procedures, while warning against concentrating such developments near Malé.
News Desk
Opposition MDP's Chairperson and Former President Nasheed speaking in the press conference - Photo: MDP
MALE: Former President and Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Nasheed, stated today that while the multi-billion-dollar “Maldives Waterfront and Marina” project is positive in principle, he is strongly dissatisfied that the government bypassed competitive tendering procedures.
Speaking to reporters during a media briefing at the MDP office, Nasheed strongly criticized the administration for awarding such a massive development without a transparent public tender process.
“We need to know the details of it—how it will happen, its terms and conditions,” Nasheed stressed, highlighting that major national assets and contracts should go through proper bidding channels.
Nasheed revealed that Eagle Hills had previously held discussions to run a similar project during his time in office, and he had urged them to build it outside the capital region. He warned that carrying out such massive projects in the Malé area will draw people away from outer islands, leaving them deserted while worsening severe overcrowding in the capital.
When asked by a reporter whether he supported the project without fully knowing the contractual terms, Nasheed explained that terms must be reviewed and made public.
“I am someone who supports Foreign Direct Investment. In my view, it increases prosperity for the Maldives and its people,” Nasheed said. “People want prosperity, happiness, peace of mind, shelter, and business opportunities.”
He added that expanding the national economy requires attracting large-scale foreign investments, but maintained that proper regulatory frameworks must be respected. Asked if he supports the project as the top leader of the main opposition party, Nasheed noted that MDP is a center-right party that supports privatization and foreign investment in principle. However, he clarified that he cannot single-handedly set party policy on the matter, adding that a future MDP government’s official stance will be determined in its presidential manifesto.
