Majlis to study GMR-MACL Agreement on Airport

Financial Committee of the People’s Majlis will soon begin a study of the agreement made between Indian multinational giant GMR and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and guaranteed by the Maldivian Government. Under this agreement, Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) at Hulhulé has been leased to GMR.

The agreement was proposed for study by Committee member Abdulla Jabir, member of Jumhoory Party Parliamentary Group.

Speaking about the issue at the Committee, Jabir said that it is irresponsible for the Committee to ignore the issue of the agreement at a time when many are questioning the validity and underlying issues related to the transaction. He also said that it is not acceptable if the largest Airport in the nation, which had always been one of the most profitable enterprises for the State, has stopped making any meaningful contribution to the State treasury.

“If one of the doors through which the government receives foreign currency is closed, and when the whole public and media are posing serious questions about underlying issues about the said agreement, it is vital that the Majlis should make an inquiry into the issue”, said Jabir.

Jabir said that it is necessary even to summon Board Members of MACL to be accountable in relation to the agreement. However, this has not been finalized.

Jabir’s proposition was seconded by Ahmed Saleem, MP for Eydhafushi Constituency.

When the issue was proposed, Ahmed Nazim, the Speaker of the Committee, said that the issue would be put on agenda for a future meeting of the Committee. However, a date has not yet been given.

While the decision to let INIA to GMR for a long period was made by the government of former President Mohamed Nasheed, political parties participating in the current government have vehemently opposed the decision, and have started a campaign to “retake the Airport”. Parties have accused that the GMR agreement came into being through corrupt deals and that the transaction brought only financial losses and difficulties for the Maldives.