MP Didi: Government dims Addu’s tourism hopes by separating Savaahili project from city

Ahmed Didi, the Member of Parliament for the Maradhoo constituency, has stated that the government has extinguished the hopes of Addu City residents regarding tourism development. This follows President Muizzu’s sudden decree to remove "Savaahili"—an island designated for development by the Addu City Council—from the city’s jurisdiction.

During Sunday's People's Majlis sitting, MP Didi spoke during the debate on a petition calling for the withdrawal of proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act. He stated that the current administration is utilizing various executive powers to seize land from the public.

Didi stated that the government is systematically reclaiming lands under the jurisdiction of local and city councils, allowing them to be seized at any time for any party. He further noted that this practice is completely stripping citizens of their rightful benefits and empowerment.

The government has seized Savaahili, an area within the jurisdiction of Addu City currently under development, effectively stripping it from the people of Addu. By doing so, the administration has moved to extinguish the flicker of hope and the long-held dreams of the residents to build a thriving tourism industry. Approximately 350 rooms were already under development across various tourist hotels within that zone. However, as soon as the tender for the lease of Savaahili was announced, the government immediately reclaimed the land. With this seizure, one must ask what the future holds for the people of Addu and what the consequences of this decision will be. This action serves as a direct obstruction to the aspirations and vision that the citizens of Addu City have envisioned for their community.

Ahmed Didi

The Addu City Council’s "Savaahili" island development project has been brought under the direct jurisdiction of the central government following an emergency decree issued by President Muizzu. This move to remove the island from the city’s administrative boundaries comes at a time when the council had already opened the project for public bidding. The Addu City Council had previously announced and invited bids from interested parties to develop the site as the "Savaahili Entertainment and Recreation Facility."

Residents of Addu City are expressing their growing frustration over this issue. The Addu City Council has also condemned the move, characterizing it as a deliberate attempt by the current administration to obstruct the city's development.