Shahid: Savaahili will be returned to the people of Addu

The President of the MDP, Abdulla Shahid, has pledged to reclaim Savaahili and restore it to the jurisdiction of Addu City, following the current administration's decision to remove the island from the city's boundaries.

Speaking at a rally held in Addu City on Friday night, Shahid stated that the MDP would hand over the management of Addu's land to the City Council, ensuring that the resulting economic benefits are directly realized by the city's residents.

We will reclaim Savaahili. We will return Savaahili to the people of Addu. We will hand over the management of Savaahili and the land of Addu to the Addu City Council, ensuring that the benefits derived from these lands go directly to the residents of Addu. Whether through the passage of new legislation or other means, our administration will reverse any seizure of land belonging to the people in any part of the Maldives. We will return those lands to the people.

Abdulla Shahid

The Addu City Council’s "Savaahili" island development project has been brought under central government jurisdiction through a sudden presidential decree issued by President Muizzu. This move comes after the council had already opened the project for public bidding. The Addu City Council had previously invited interested parties to submit bids for the development of the island as the "Savaahili Entertainment and Recreation Facility."

According to the presidential decree, the decision to remove the island from the jurisdiction of Addu City was made to facilitate its development for tourism purposes. However, the decree did not provide any further details regarding the matter.

The residents of Addu City are expressing their growing frustration over this issue. Furthermore, the City Council has characterized the situation as a deliberate attempt by the current administration to obstruct the development of Addu City.