PNC-led Parliament rejects motion to disclose Ras Male' agreement with Eagle Hills

The People’s National Congress (PNC) majority in Parliament has voted to reject a resolution calling for the full disclosure of the agreement between the Maldivian government and Eagle Hills regarding the "Ras Male'" project. The resolution, which sought to ascertain the views of lawmakers on the matter, was dismissed by the ruling party's supermajority.

During Monday's People's Majlis sitting, a vote was held on whether to accept a resolution submitted by the Member for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem. The resolution was rejected by a majority of 45 PNC members, while 10 members from the MDP voted in favor of its acceptance.

The resolution states that the government has yet to disclose the details of the commercial terms agreement signed between the Government of the Maldives and Eagle Hills, a UAE-based company, for the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Ras Male'. It therefore calls for the full disclosure of all details pertaining to the agreement.

The resolution states that Article 250 (a) of the Constitution mandates that any state-owned asset may only be transferred, sold, leased, mortgaged, disposed of, or subject to any such agreement in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the resolution notes that Article 251 (a) of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the ownership of any part of Maldivian territory by any foreign party.

The resolution further highlights that Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of information. According to the resolution, the government continues to withhold details regarding the commercial terms of the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project in Ras Male', a joint venture between the state and the UAE-based Eagle Hills company. It noted that the government has kept the agreement confidential, stating only that detailed procedures would be established as the project progresses.

The resolution highlighted that Ras Male' represents the nation's most valuable asset, intrinsically linked to the future development of the Maldives. However, it noted that based on the details disclosed by the government thus far, there are significant areas of concern regarding the project.

Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of full disclosure surrounding the agreement signed between the government and Eagle Hills on September 21. It was noted that the terms of the deal are particularly troubling, as the reclamation project is being funded by taxpayer money without any provision for the state to recover the costs incurred.

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 land rent.

The resolution states that the agreement grants Eagle Hills the right to sublease developed properties on the land to third parties. It further asserts that keeping the details of such a large-scale project confidential could lead to significant losses for state assets and public finances, while potentially paving the way for corruption.

The resolution noted that during the official ceremony held on July 26, 2024, to mark the Maldives' Independence Day, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that Ras Male' is "not a place that will be leased or given for free to any foreign party, even for a single day." However, the resolution highlighted that an agreement has been reached to grant over 500 hectares of reclaimed land in Ras Male' to Eagle Hills company for a period of 99 years.

The resolution states that monitoring the actions of the executive branch, holding the government accountable, and taking necessary measures in accordance with the Constitution and the law are constitutional mandates vested in the Parliament under Article 70 (b) (3) of the Constitution.

The resolution therefore aims to call upon the government to disclose the agreement pertaining to the "Maldives Waterfront and Marina" project planned for development in Ras Male', while also seeking to ascertain the views of Members of Parliament on the matter.