MDP: MoUs being signed to commence new projects to influence the election

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has alleged that Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) are being signed to commence new projects by the current administration in order to influence the parliamentary election slated for Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, MDP’s parliamentary campaign spokesperson Ahmed Easa alleged that the government has been speaking of commencing some major projects and signing MoUs in conjunction with the election to influence the election and mislead the public.

He further said although MoUs are being executed, they are being executed “for show”.

“In many cases, MoUs are not agreements that legally bind two parties. Most MoUs are signed by two parties in a manner they can be revoked at any time without paying any damages,” he said.

Easa, underscoring these MoUs’ purpose will cease at the conclusion of the election, said the respective projects will not proceed.

Speaking further, Easa said the island issued to develop a fish factory in Dhaalu Atoll, Maadheli, had already been issued to develop a resort.

He added that an agreement would not have been executed without inquiring whether the island issued to the contractor for the factory’s development is under the government’s jurisdiction or has been issued to another party under business transaction if the fish factory had been truly planned and was being initiated with sincere intentions.

Henceforth, he stressed that the current administration does not honor the agreement executed by the former administration.

Easa further accused the current administration of holding inauguration ceremonies at huge expense for projects initiated by the former administration that have been halted, to paint it as new projects being commenced in conjunction with the election.