Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed has revealed the administration will not lease islands and lagoons for tourism development without accessing the economic and societal impacts. The tourism minister made the remarks speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on Finance.
When summoned to the parliamentary committee to inquire about the islands leased paving way for corruption, Tourism Minister Ali Waheed said some notices were published on the gazette to lease islands when the current administration took office last November. He said the notices were obliterated when the new administration did not want to lease islands under the policy of the previous administration.
Minister Ali Waheed noted no islands have been leased since the administration took office. However, the minister assured any island or lagoon during the presidency of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be leased in reference to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Economic Assessment. He stated the ministry is seeking consultancy for the matter, adding no islands will be leased for development without endorsing with the economic council of President's Office.
Moreover, the minister assured discussions will be held with relevant ministries and authorities before leasing for tourism development. In this regard, he said the islands which will be leased under open bid policy will be announced in October this year.