PPM may have to leave government depending on GMR decision: Umar Naseer

Vice President of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Umar Naseer has said that PPM may have to leave the government coalition depending on President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s decision on the GMR issue.

He stressed that the losses to Maldives by allowing GMR operate the airport are much greater than the damage caused by reclaiming the airport from GMR.

Umar made this statement while speaking on VTV’s ‘Fasmanzaru’ last night.

“We will not stand back and watch what happens. We will convince the President to make a decision on this matter. If not we will be very concerned, we don’t plan to ‘park’ this problem by filing a case to Court. Depending on how President Waheed handles this issue, we might even have to leave the government coalition. Of course, such a decision will have to be made by the party Council,” he said.

Umar explained that the government will incur a loss of $153 million per year for 25 years if GMR is allowed to continue to operate the airport; while by taking the matter to Court the government will incur a loss of the same amount for every year the Court process goes on.

He said that the people responsible for awarding the airport to GMR will be brought to justice.

Umar said that those indirectly responsible for giving the airport to GMR are Leader of DRP Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Shahid; while those directly responsible for it are former President Mohamed Nasheed and members of his government.

PPM’s Council has passed that the airport should be reclaimed from GMR, and proposed this to the President.