Managing Director of Maldives Integrated Tourism Development Corporation (MITDC), Mohamed Raaidh has stated that Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) received MVR 34 million in the illegal sale of Baresdhoo in Laamu Atoll.

The development of Baresdhoo is currently overseen by MITDC, the money in question was received by MMPRC when they were in charge of the project.

Speaking during his first press conference since assuming office, Raaidh noted that land from Baresdhoo have been sold to 19 different people.

“MMPRC has sold these plots under the LAC model. Meaning following the land acquisition cost, the plots would be owned by the buyer completely. This is illegal according to our rules and regulations,” Raaidh said.

He noted that the sale of individual plots from uninhabited islands for the development of guesthouses were illegal. MMPRC officially took charge of the project in April 2018. While MITDC was created in 2016, they signed the Baresdhoo project in 2017.

Raaidh highlighted that MMPRC had used the MVR 34 million, and handed over MVR 14 million to MITDC. He added that MITDC had been utilizing money from the project prior to a year before it was officially theirs.

However, he noted that MITDC had only leased plots from the project and reassured that all of it was within the legal boundaries. As such, MITDC has received MVR 21 million after leasing plots from Baresdhoo to 19 individuals.

He also shared the expenses incurred by MMPRC regarding the case, and noted that they had expenses outside contract terms as well.