President Solih: Nalandhoo to be ready for tourism by end of term

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Thursday, has stated that Sh. Nalandhoo will be ready for tourism before the end of the current administration’s five-year term.

Speaking at a campaign event at Sh. Milandhoo as part of President Solih’s ongoing tour of atolls for the upcoming presidential primary of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – President Solih underscored the possibility of having to compensate the lessee of neighboring Nalandhoo in order to initiate tourism development at the island.

The President has also previously remarked that Nalandhoo, previously allocated for sea cucumber farming, will be developed as a resort.

During his address at the campaign event – President Solih noted that the island was leased to a party under an agreement, therewith, the lessee having made investments for it. He emphasized that his administration would not initiate tourism development at Nalandhoo without compensating the lessee for the work carried out on the island.

He also said that many islands were leased unlawfully by previous administrations as a result of which the current administration is forced to bear the responsibility of paying compensation.

“We do things with the confinements of law and regulation. (Nalandhoo) is an island leased by the government to party under an agreement. Investments would have been made. We would not take away the island just like that tomorrow,” he said.

President Solih said that the current administration was still struggling to remedy such cases of unlawful courses of action by previous administrations.

“Have to compensate in USD 100 million, USD 200 million, USD 30 million and USD 40 million,” he added.

He said Nalandhoo is also amongst islands that have been priced for compensation in this regard. Noting that discussions were underway with the lessee to take back the island – he expressed confidence that a fair agreement would soon be reached.

“There are investors already prepared to invest in this island. At the conclusion of this term’s five years, this island would be ready for tourism,” he said.

As MDP’s presidential primary looms – President Solih and MDP’s leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed who are going head-to-head in the election are both campaign in atolls presently. The primary is scheduled for January 28^th.