Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture Zaha Waheed has said the state does not sufficiently benefit from leasing uninhabited islands in across the country.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Committee on Government Oversight, Minister Zaha stated previously government authorities have failed monitor the islands leased for a long period. However, she said efforts have been launched to ensure the same mistakes are not repeated by the current administration.
The minister revealed the administration has noticed only 32% of the islands and lagoons leased are utilised for economic purposes. The minister said efforts to utilise the islands are interrupted due to lack of work plans, investment plans and land use plans. She noted the islands leased for a long period are mostly utilised for fisheries and agriculture purposes, adding the ministry is working to identify the challenges for not utilising the islands under lease.
The minister also shared information about the revenue generated to the state from leasing islands. In this regard, she revealed the state received USD 1.11 million in 2018 and USD 1 million US dollars in 2019.
About 980 uninhabited islands are administered by the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture.