Ariadhoo Island repossessed by State

The uninhabited island of Ariadhoo near A. Dh. Maamingili has been repossessed by the State.

A senior official from Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture reported to “Sun” this Tuesday that the island was repossessed by State because the party to whom the island was leased for farming wasn’t running the business as agreed.

A request for the island was made with President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom by Maamingili Development Society (MDS) last October.

Maamingili with its population of approximately 5,000 people is facing overcrowding, with lack of land for housing, farming or even an area for swimming.

MDS wrote in their request to the President that from their observation the island was only being used to collect coconuts and transport it to Male’ City for sale.

MDS said the 27-hector island could be better utilized, and to hand it over to the citizens of Maamingili for better use.

No decision has been made yet on which party the island will be re-leased to.