The Vaavu Atoll Council has lodged a formal complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), claiming that the Tourism Ministry’s process for leasing two lagoons in the atoll undervalues the properties.
In the complaint, signed by Council President Shujau Ali, the council alleges that the ministry calculated the size of the lagoons based solely on sandbanks, which fluctuate in size and shape depending on the season. For the first lagoon, identified as LD-1366, the ministry measured 0.62 hectares—reflecting the sandbank’s size during one season. However, the council asserts the actual size is 195 hectares. The second lagoon, which the council states is 158 hectares, was recorded as only 0.14 hectares.
The council argues that using the sandbanks for measurement undervalues the lagoons, leading to a lower acquisition cost for the state and potentially enabling those involved to make an illegal profit.
The complaint asks the ACC to investigate the issue and prevent the Tourism Ministry from proceeding with the transaction under the current terms.