Voice of the People: GMR Issue- A solution can be reached only through dialogue

Thursday, June 28th, 2012

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Male’ International Airport, now known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport was leased to GMR Infrastructure Limited for 25 years during the presidency of former President Mohamed Nasheed.

The then opposition parties rebuked the decision of the government before and after the lease agreement. However, Nasheed’s administration moved forward with their decision and leased the airport to the Indian company claiming that the airport is the main gate of the Maldivian tourism industry and without developing the airport neither the tourism industry nor any other industry of the country can be developed.

Conversely, the issue today is totally different. The many political parties involved in the present national unity government are trying to annul the agreement accusing the former government of opposing the constitution in their lease agreement with the GMR.

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed had to appoint a committee to examine the issue because of the gravity of the matter. It is believed that the committee has commenced their investigation. However, up until today no information has been dissipated to the public regarding the progress of the committee’s work.

Despite their being no public statements made by the committee, some political parties have been continuing their call to annul the agreement.

With the regards to the issue, Press Secretary Abbas Adil Riza says that a government sealed agreement can only be changed within the confines of law. He added that a conclusion can be reached only after dialogue and consultation between all related parties.

During the President’s official visit to India, the President assured that he will uphold all Indian investments in the Maldives. He promised that his government will not take any decision that will lose the investors’ confidence in the Maldivian government.

Looking back into the history of Maldives, this indeed is the biggest foreign investment ever in the country. Therefore, it is best to take a decision regarding the matter after considering what is best for the people of Maldives and for the welfare of the nation. In addition to this as Abbas mentioned protecting the value of the seal of the government is from foremost of obligations. For a surety, this decision will reflect the future of all potential foreign investments.

Analysts, now that things have now gone out of hand, the next best thing will be to reach a peaceful solution through dialogue between the parties concerned. All agreements might have some issues and such issues should be solved through mutual consultation and dialogue.

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