Businesses and the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have expressed concern over the clearing out of vessels with police assistance from the western side beach and lagoon of the "Thilafushi 1" area of the industrial island for land reclamation.
Both businesses and the MDP believe that several large, medium and small businesses would come to a halt if the area is reclaimed.
Thilafushi 1 was the first area reclaimed from the lagoon. Businesses leased land for long periods from the western side of the area mainly for industrial and logistics work. Large as well as medium and small businesses operating in the area have long used the lagoon.
However, if more land is reclaimed in Thilafushi, businesses will not be able to access or use the sea. The lagoon would become dry land.
The MDP said in a statement on Wednesday night that the party's government stopped reclaiming that part of Thilafushi in order to provide alternatives to businesses operating in the area.
"All land reclamation projects in the Malé region under this party's government were carried out in a manner that did not disrupt the work of those who had been using the area at the time. Each of the projects was carried out after consultations with all parties with a stake in the land," the MDP statement reads.
However, with the new government that took office on November 17, Urbanco made an announcement to clear out vessels from the area in order to begin land reclamation in Thilafushi. Businesses then shared their concerns in a petition to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
"[Urbanco] started work with the police today [Wednesday] on clearing out the vessels without considering the petition or our concerns," an official from a Maldivian logistics company that has operated in the area for many years told Adhadhu.
The order to remove the vessels was "an injustice to businesses," the MDP said, warning that "businesses currently operating in Thilafushi would be destroyed if the decision is enforced."
The MDP called on the government not to carry out land reclamation in a manner that harms businesses.
Urbanco announcement.
Petition from businesses
A businessperson who spoke to Adhadhu said the President's Office has not replied to the petition submitted to President Muizzu on the issue.
Businesses operating in the Thilafushi 1 area also carry out several other economic activities across the country, the petition said, including the building of landing crafts, cargo transport and the supply of equipment and material needed for infrastructure projects.
The area in Thilafushi was reclaimed with great difficulties with the hard of work of these businesses as well, the petition stated.
Urbanco is yet to comment on the MDP statement or the concerns of the businesses.
