Gasim Ibrahim has refuted the statements being spread by former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom regarding the Kaadedhdhoo Airport, calling them untrue. Gasim revealed details about how the airport issue unfolded, in addition to highlighting the oppression he and Villa Company faced during Yameen’s administration.
As the Kaadedhdhoo Regional Airport was operating at a loss, it was opened for private management in 2013, and Villa Group won the bid to operate the airport for 50 years. However, with the beginning of Yameen’s presidency and the resulting resulting political instability, the agreement was terminated in 2017, and the government seized the airport. Gasim stated that Villa had made significant investments of millions of dollars in the airport and was working towards transforming it into an international airport.
When Villa took the matter to court, the Civil Court, higher courts, and even the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Villa. Consequently, in 2022, during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, the Kaadedhdhoo Airport was returned to Villa. The agreement stated that if the airport was converted into an international airport within 7 years, the term would be extended to 99 years.
However, as President Mohamed Muizzu promised to build an airport in the lagoon of Gd. Thinadhoo during the 2023 presidential election, the current government wants to take back the Kaadedhdhoo Airport. Gasim said that in line with the Thinadhoo Airport promise, President Muizzu wants to convert Kaadedhdhoo into an international airport, so Villa decided to hand over the airport to the government. The government and Villa have agreed on a price of 18 million dollars for the airport. The government proposed two payment options: paying in 18 monthly installments or deducting from tax payments over 18 months. Villa has accepted this proposal.
Highlighting the oppression he and his businesses faced during Yameen’s presidency, Gasim said that in addition to illegally seizing the Kaadedhdhoo Airport, Yameen ordered Villa to pay 199 million dollars in taxes, froze Villa’s accounts, and forced them to endure a period where they couldn’t pay salaries to thousands of employees. Gasim stated that during Yameen’s tenure, it became clear to the entire Maldivian nation that he was someone who would go to any lengths against a person if he became displeased with them.
