Ecocare sues state over controversial Kulhudhuffushi airport project

Ecocare has filed suit against two government bodies citing that the development of an airport in Kulhudhuffushi island was being carried out against rules and procedures.

Ecocare cases against both the Environment Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is run under it.

Speaking to RaajjeMV Ecocare lawyer said the case was filed last week and was accepted by Civil Court.

The lawyer said reclaiming of the mangrove and construction of the airport was going ahead against principles and procedures set by both EPA and Ministry. As such, the lawyer maintained these procedures had been willfully ignored by the two bodies.

Ecocare had filed for a stay order on all procedures and processes involving the reclamation of mangrove and construction of airport in the island, citing that procedures set by the two bodies were not being followed.

The lawyer added they had also contemplated on filing the case against contractor Maldives Transport and Construction Company (MTCC) and regional airports but due to laws and situation the case could not be filed on those agencies.

While the case was filed in Civil Court, the airport project was launched for the island by President Abdullah Yameen on Sunday.