Infuriated residents of Vashafaru island of Haa Alif atoll have protested over the decision to allocate land from the island to develop a city hotel.

The island’s council has revealed that a plot of land measuring 300,000 square feet situated on the west end of the island, has been allocated to a private party for tourism development, to establish a city hotel.

An agreement was signed between the council and Tholhath Rasheed from Hoarafushi island of Haa Alif atoll on 23 October 2014, to development the city hotel within 60 months spanning the course of five years.

The council went on to reveal that the plot of land adjacent to the land where the hotel is being built, measuring 35,000 square feet, was also allocated for storage of construction materials and other purposes.

Although the council made several attempts to nullify the agreement following consultations, the court intervened.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, council member Aminath Fazla revealed that the island’s residents took to the street in protest since no solution has been sought for this issue.

She said that although a large area has been allocated for the city hotel development, neither the island nor its residents would benefit from it.

Fazla went on to cite protest organizers having claimed that they would continue protesting until a solution is reached.

She added that the Ministry of Tourism has not been cooperative on this issue and has not even responded to a letter they have addressed to the ministry.

The protesters have called on the government to find a quick solution in connection with this issue.

Stressing that a massive plot of land has been allocated for a private individual to build a city hotel, Fazla highlighted that the agreement was originally made because the party promised to establish water and sewerage systems on the island.

However, noting that the government ended up installing the systems, Fazla expressed belief that the party should reimburse the state’s expenses for the project.

Fazla stressed that the court ruled against the council on this matter.

Vashafaru is an island where guesthouse tourism is rapidly expanding, and many residents are frustrated about the free allocation of land for development purposes.