MDP does not believe Maldivians capable of running airports: Matheen

Managing Director of the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), Abdul Matheen Mohamed, has claimed opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) of holding a narrow view on national development and said that the party does not believe Maldivians are capable of developing and operating airports.

Speaking at a ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) meeting last night, Matheen said MDP should not claim credit for the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), which is set to open on 26 July.

“MDP has always wanted to leave the management of Maldivian facilities in foreign hands,” he said, adding that the party’s approach shows it “does not believe Maldivians are capable of doing anything on their own.”

Matheen’s comments follow social media posts by MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and former President Mohamed Nasheed defending the party’s past airport policies, including the controversial 25-year lease of VIA to India's GMR during the first MDP administration.

The agreement was terminated under former President Mohamed Waheed’s government, on the advice of the Attorney General, who deemed the deal detrimental to the state.

Matheen said the new terminal is part of the "first vision" of the former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, and said the current government remains focused on expanding the tourism industry and economy.

“While our opposition [MDP] had tried to build a terminal on the east side of the airport, which does not even exist now, this government has developed a terminal on the west side that is now nearing completion,” he said.

He said that the foundations laid during the MDP government had to be removed.

“We do not want to build the economy on an askew foundation,” he said.

Matheen also criticized MDP for not initiating plans for a second runway, arguing that the party “has no intention of expanding the economy.”

“This is an airport developed by the Maldivian people, and it is being opened under our government,” he said.