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Former President Solih speaking in opening ceremony of MDP Congress - Photo: MDP

MALE : Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared that a future Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government must not allow secret agreements that give away land free of charge, speaking at the MDP Congress opening ceremony.

​The government signed a 20 billion dollar agreement with UAE-based company Eagle Hills on September 21 to develop a waterfront marina and 5,000 housing units in Ras Malé.

Under the deal, the government allocated 500 hectares out of the 1,100 hectares reclaimed at Fushidhiggaru Falhu without receiving any advance payment. While Eagle Hills will build the 5,000 housing units, the revenue and rent collected from these units will be retained directly by the developer, leading the opposition to argue that the project offers no genuine free housing or financial advance for the Maldivian public.

Solih clarified that the MDP does not oppose foreign investment or structured residency programs, but insisted that the public and government must know the explicit benefits before granting large land parcels.

“We are hearing reports that land in Ras Malé is being given away to a foreign party free of charge,” Solih said.

“We do not oppose foreign investment, nor are we against running a residency program under established rules. However, when deciding to give away such a large parcel of land for free, the government and citizens must know what benefits will be gained.”

He emphasized that evaluating those benefits requires full public disclosure, warning that conducting major land deals in secrecy is unacceptable. He called on the MDP Congress to officially urge the government to disclose the full agreement or cancel it completely.

Addressing government criticism regarding past projects under his administration, Solih highlighted key differences in land allocation deals. He explained that his administration secured 43 million dollars in advance payment for the Foththeyo lagoon project alongside developer-funded land reclamation and a domestic airport, while requiring 19 million dollars in advance for an N. Atoll lagoon under tourism laws. He noted that recent Special Economic Zone (SEZ) law changes under the current administration resulted in significant lost revenue for the state.