Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar said yesterday that he would welcome the Rasmalé Waterfront and Marina project, currently being undertaken by the UAE’s Eagle Hills, to Addu City, provided the project is conducted with full transparency.
Speaking at an investment forum held as part of the MDP Congress, Nizar clarified that he does not support bringing the Eagle Hills project to Addu in its current form. However, the Mayor emphasised that there would be no objection if the project were introduced transparently and in a manner in which the details could be clearly explained to the public.
"I do not wish to bring the Eagle Hills project to Addu in the way it is currently being implemented. But if it comes with transparency, where the people are informed and we can explain the benefits to the citizens of Addu, then we welcome it. We will welcome it; that is not an issue at all," Nizar said.
The government agreed to hand over Rasmalé to Eagle Hills without charging an acquisition fee or land rent. The only state revenue from the deal consists of 10 percent of the revenue from the sale of commercial properties and four percent of the revenue from apartment sales at Rasmalé.
Rasmalé is envisioned as a tourism destination designed for long-term foreign residency. Eagle Hills has already opened the sale of apartments and villas at Rasmalé to foreign buyers.
The Addu City Council presented a total of eight projects at the investment forum. These include the establishment of a climate change and marine research facility, a convention centre and hotel, the Dhigirah public beach development project, and a green waste composting facility.
Additionally, the Addu City Council proposed a home solar and battery program, a museum and cultural centre project, a nature park eco-investment project, and a rainwater harvesting and storage facility project.
This marks the first investment forum organised by a Maldivian political party. The forum served as the primary focus of the MDP Congress on Friday. Today’s session will focus on amending the party’s charter and passing various resolutions.
