Newport issued 25-day notice to vacate premises

Planning Ministry has issued a 25-day notice to Strada Pvt. Ltd. to vacate the Newport View restaurant and Bridge Viewing Platform in Lozuziyaaraih Kolhu of Male’ City. 

Strada and Planning Ministry had signed the lease agreement to develop a food outlet and bridge viewing platform in the area on September 22, 2016 – during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration. 

However, the lease agreement terminated on March 7, 2019, after the current administration came to power, citing breach of contract over failure to pay lease and fines. 

However, Strada failed to vacate the premises as ordered, leading to the Planning Ministry lodging a lawsuit against the company with the Civil Court. 

The court ruled against Strada on September 26, 2019, ordering the company to vacate the premises within 15 days. The company was also ordered to pay MVR 1.15 million in accrued lease payments and fines incurred up until it vacates the land and hands it over to the Planning Ministry within 30 days. 

The decision was appealed by Strada with the High Court. The court ruled to uphold the original ruling in October last year. 

Three months after the court issued its ruling, Planning Ministry issued a notice to Strada on Monday, ordering the company to vacate the premises within 25 days. 

Sun has received a copy of the notice, which warns that the Planning Ministry will clear the premises if Strada fails to comply, and will not bear responsibility for any damage to a third party.