A compliance audit of the Addu City Council has found that 11 plots of land leased for tourism purposes were allocated without public notice, raising concerns over transparency and equal access.

The audit report revealed that land sizes in three wards of Addu City were altered in violation of established guidelines. In some cases, head leases and development rights for land in the Meedhoo Tourism Zone were transferred to other parties despite outstanding rent payments.

According to the report, a 29,000-square-foot plot in Feydhoo was expanded by 134,945 square feet, bringing the total area to 163,945 square feet. In Meedhoo, an additional 27,595 square feet was added to a 17,000-square-foot lease, increasing the total to 44,595 square feet.

The audit also found unpaid land rent of MVR 244,481 for the Feydhoo land and MVR 194,816 for the Meedhoo land at the time ownership changes were approved.

Further irregularities included the allocation of an extra 2,000 square feet for a swimming pool and an additional 1,800 square feet for a 15-room guesthouse without public announcement.

In total, 166,340 square feet of land in Feydhoo, Meedhoo and Hithadhoo were allocated without notice. The report stated that these actions denied other interested parties an equal opportunity to acquire land for tourism development.