In a sharp rebuttal to former President Abdulla Yameen’s latest accusations, Jumhooree Party Leader and Villa Group Chairman Qasim Ibrahim has declared that the people of Maldives will not be deceived by Yameen’s false narratives surrounding Kaadedhdhoo Airport.
Qasim, who also serves as MP for Maamigili, took to X to dismantle Yameen’s claims, stating that the former president is deliberately misrepresenting the facts for political gain. He shared an official letter from the President’s Office, which details the government’s transparent and lawful approach to compensating Villa Group for the airport handover.
According to the letter, Ernst & Young’s independent evaluation places the value of Kaadedhdhoo Airport at USD 18.5 million. In addition, lagoons in Ari Atoll South previously allocated to Villa Group were valued at USD 15 million, bringing the total worth to USD 33.5 million. The government has offered USD 18 million in compensation to Villa Air, payable over 18 months, while also adjusting pending Villa Group tax obligations within the same period. The proposal, endorsed by the Economic Council, ensures the handover will be executed without financial strain on the state.
Qasim stressed that this arrangement is far from the “shameful act” described by Yameen, and firmly rejected the baseless corruption allegations made at the opposition’s “Wake Up” rally on Thursday night. He underlined that the airport is not being taken over due to failure of operation, as Yameen misleadingly suggests, but as part of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s broader plan to expand air connectivity and strengthen the nation’s transport infrastructure.
Yameen, now leading the PNF, has repeatedly attempted to frame Kaadedhdhoo as a personal asset written in Qasim’s name and accused the government of debt forgiveness amounting to USD 30 million. However, the President’s Office letter directly contradicts this narrative, proving Yameen’s rhetoric to be unfounded political propaganda.
By exposing Yameen’s distortions, Qasim reaffirmed his commitment to honesty and national progress, assuring Maldivians that the truth is clear: the government’s actions on Kaadedhdhoo Airport are guided by fairness, legality, and the vision of connecting every corner of the Maldives.
