In a press conference held at the president’s office, Adheeb said that some parties involved in construction of housing units for the government have been allotted islands for tourism in violation of the tourism master plan and the tourism act. “The tourism act clearly states that islands should only be awarded after a bidding process and in accordance with an agreement with the ministry,” he said. He also added some of these islands are yet to be developed as the awardees have been unable to attract investors. The islands have been awarded as a political tool, Adheeb said. “Problems were observed in the islands given to the parties who are involved with establishing transport system as the developed islands carried rent and other such expenses. But the agreements stated that everything was free, which had led to conflicts with Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA),” he said. “National Planning Council had played a major role in allocating the islands to parties involved in establishing water and sanitation. They had issued 400 awarding letters but only 10 agreements were made, yet none of the parties had been able to comply with the points stipulated in the agreements,” Tourism minister said Adheeb also stated as there had been no plan in awarding the islands; the ministry has found it difficult to proceed with tourism industry investments in the country. “We have now met with the Attorney General (AG), the Auditor General and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to get their opinion in the matter. We will honor the current legal agreements in accordance with the tourism act, but we have to get back on track and follow the tourism master plan. We also have to devise a master plan among ourselves and control the supply” he said.