Some resorts have not paid rent for the first quarter, will take due action: Adheeb

Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb has said that some of the resorts in the Maldives have not paid rent due for the first quarter of this year, and that harsh action will be taken against those parties.

Adheeb told Sun Online today that some of the resorts have failed to pay due rent and that they will be subjected to the harshest of penalties. Even after being prompted numerous times, the Minister did not identify, or reveal the number of the resorts that had failed in their payments.

“There are parties that have not paid rent due in March, for this year’s first quarter. I assure you that we will take proper legal action, and the law will be implemented,” Tourism Minister said.

He said that the parties with the pending rent payments will be announced soon, after consultations with Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). He said that a culture of foregoing rent payments had been fostered when the current government came to power, and said that such opportunities will no longer be provided.

Tourism Ministry had tried to take action last year against companies that had failed to pay due rent by sending them notices that the government will terminate their contracts. Two companies: Yacht Tours Maldives, owned by Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir who manage Alidhoo Resort and Kuda Rah Resort, and the family of Bileidhoo MP Ahmed Hamza who owns Filitheyo Resort, Medhifushi Resort, Zitahli Resort were sent harsh warnings, but were allowed to operate their resorts after they had agreed to pay the due rent and the subsequent fines.