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The Maldivian Democratic Party’s National Council has called on the government to hold a public vote on the proposed allocation of 500 hectares of Rasmalé land to UAE-based Eagle Hills.
Mariyam Adheela
MALE’: The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has passed a resolution calling on the government to hold a public vote on the proposed allocation of 500 hectares of land in Rasmale’ to UAE-based developer Eagle Hills.
The resolution was passed at an emergency meeting of the party’s National Council on Sunday night. It was submitted by Kolamaafushi MP Mahfooz Saeed and seconded by Kendhoo MP Ma’ruf Zakir.
Of the 58 members present, 57 voted in favour of the resolution, while MDP Chairperson Mohamed Nasheed was the only member to vote against it.
During the debate, several council members expressed concern over the proposed project, arguing that the public should be consulted before a development of this scale proceeds.
The resolution calls for the government to disclose the commercial terms of the agreement under which 500 hectares of Rasmale’ land would reportedly be allocated to Eagle Hills for 99 years without acquisition costs or rent.
It also calls for a public vote on the project and stipulates that no transaction should take place before the results are known if it could create rights over the land for Eagle Hills or any third party.
The resolution further calls on the MDP to lead public awareness efforts about the potential risks of the deal and to hold the government accountable through Parliament.
It states that if the government fails to respond to these demands, the party should coordinate with other political parties and associations to launch direct action.
Nasheed, however, expressed full support for the Rasmale’ project during the meeting, according to the report.
