Three islands in Shaviyani Atoll near Komandoo have been proposed for resort development last minute, the latest in a series of unanticipated projects announced by the government in the atoll in the run-up to the Komandoo parliamentary by-election.
The new islands announced for resort development include Sh. Medhurah, Sh. Dhigurah, and Sh. Mairah, according to an amendment made to the bid documents provided by the tourism ministry yesterday.
The three islands, totalling 19 hectares, were announced for resort development for a total of MVR 1.2 million.
While three Shaviyani Atoll islands have been added to the resort development list, the government already declared 18 islands from 10 atolls for resort development in October, with the acquisition cost disclosed yesterday.
Maausfushi, Meemu Atoll, has the highest purchase cost of any island on the list, with a minimum cost of MVR 23 million, or USD 1.5 million.
As the Komandoo parliamentary by-election approaches, the government has been unveiling unexpected development projects in Shaviyani Atoll, with some of the projects already in the works, provoking severe criticism from opposition parties.
Among the projects announced for Shaviyani Atoll by the government include a project to connect Komandoo and Mathi-Komandoo, water and sewage projects on three islands, and the development of futsal fields.
