Parliament rejects resolution seeking disclosure of Eagle Hills agreement

Parliament has rejected a resolution calling on the government to disclose the terms of its agreement with UAE-based developer Eagle Hills concerning the Ras Malé development project.

The resolution, submitted by Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was defeated by 45 votes to 10.

It sought the publication of all terms of the Commercial Terms Agreement signed between the government and the company.

The resolution raised concerns about the proposed allocation of about 500 hectares at Ras Malé for a 99-year period and the lack of publicly available information about the arrangement.

Among the concerns raised were the reported absence of an acquisition fee or rent and whether the arrangement would allow the government to recover public expenditure on land reclamation.

These concerns formed part of the resolution’s argument for releasing the agreement in full.

The government and Eagle Hills signed the Commercial Terms Agreement on 21 September.

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has described the document as a letter of intent, with detailed arrangements still to be finalised.

The government has rejected suggestions that the arrangement amounts to a sale of land.

President Mohamed Muizzu has said the land would remain under Maldivian ownership and be leased to the developer.

The agreement’s full terms have not been made public, leaving its financial and legal provisions at the centre of debate over the proposed development