A large plot of land from the prime area in Hulhumale' Phase One has been given to Mohamed Ali Janah, the Principal Advisor on Trade and Investment to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

About 100,000 square feet from a 300,000 square feet land plot adjacent to the Ooredoo Building in front of Central Park was given last year after President Muizzu assumed office.

President Muizzu and Janah. -- Photo: Adhadhu

A source with knowledge of the transaction told Adhadhu today that the land was given to Janah for the construction of an upscale shopping mall. The concept of the mall is to have a large empty space for various activities, the source added.

"Janah had planned to do it in collaboration with an international company. However, there is still no further progress on the project," the source stated.

Janah could not be reached for comment.

The current management of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has allocated a lot of land in Hulhumalle' for commercial use without announcement. Some of the land plots were given to groups with ties to the government under agreements that required them to pay rent as well as a fee for CSR or other requirements.

The HDC did not disclose the price of the land and the conditions agreed with Janah. The company could not be reached for comment.