Meekail: Those Who Criticized Uthuru Thila Falhu Deal Now Allow Foreign Financial Control

Member of Parliament for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, has stated that those who once took to the streets in protest, agitated over the non-disclosure of the Uthuru Thila Falhu agreement, have now assumed power only to grant foreign entities the opportunity to exert financial influence and control over the Maldivian state.

During Wednesday's parliamentary sitting, members debated a resolution calling for the government to disclose full details of the agreement signed with Eagle Hills regarding the "Ras Male'" project. The resolution seeks to ascertain the views of parliamentarians on the transparency of the deal.

Following the submission of the resolution, Meekail stated that an amendment to the parliamentary rules of procedure had been proposed simultaneously. Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, an independent member for the Thulhaadhoo constituency who supports the ruling PNC, has proposed an amendment requiring a preliminary vote before any resolution submitted to the People's Majlis can proceed to debate.

Referring to the matter, Meekail stated that this was an attempt to obstruct the resolutions. The MP further noted that if a matter concerning the Eagle Hills project, which had previously been treated as a bill, is suddenly halted through amendments to the Parliament's Standing Orders, it is a cause for serious concern among members.

They assert emphatically that under Maldivian laws and regulations, Eagle Hills will have no authority. However, the current proceedings in this Parliament allow us to gauge the extent of the influence they will exert over this House and the Maldivian state once they have settled here, sold properties, and established themselves for 99 years; this is clear from the amendments being made to the Parliament's own rules alone. Our concern is that these actions are being carried out in secrecy and shadows, in a manner that allows financial power and influence to supersede the authority of the Maldivian state. What is most concerning is that these actions are being taken by the very people who, during their campaign against government secrecy, were restless and vocal in their demands for the disclosure of the UTF agreement, yet are now conducting themselves in this exact manner after coming to power.

Meekail Ahmed Naseem

The resolution submitted by Meekail states that the government has yet to disclose the details of the commercial terms agreement signed between the Maldives and Eagle Hills, a UAE-based company, for the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Ras Male'. It calls on the administration to provide full transparency regarding all aspects of the agreement.

The resolution emphasized that Ras Male' represents the nation's most significant asset, intrinsically linked to the future development of the Maldives. However, it noted that current details released by the government regarding the project have raised several points of concern.

The statement highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement signed between the government and Eagle Hills on September 21. It further noted that the terms of the deal are particularly troubling, as the state will not recover the costs incurred from using public tax money for the land reclamation project.

Furthermore, the resolution highlights that over 500 hectares of reclaimed land in Ras Male' has been leased to Eagle Hills for a period of 99 years, under an agreement that exempts the company from paying any acquisition costs or rent.

According to the resolution, the agreement grants Eagle Hills the right to sublease developed properties to third parties. Keeping the details of such a large-scale project confidential poses significant risks to state assets and public finances, while potentially creating avenues for corruption.