Thinadhoo Council Names Companies Defaulting on Rent Payments – Including MP’s Firms

GDh. Thinadhoo City Council has, for the first time, publicly revealed the names of both companies and individuals who have failed to pay rent on leased industrial lands, in an unprecedented move to address mounting unpaid dues.

According to a statement issued by the council, a total of MVR 29.9 million remains unpaid from industrial land leases in Thinadhoo City. The published list details the companies involved and the exact amounts owed.

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The council announced that it will continue to disclose the names of defaulters and the corresponding fines on a monthly basis. It further noted that reminders are sent out via SMS at the beginning of each month, and formal letters are dispatched to those in arrears.

In line with the government’s financial regulations, the council issues two final notices demanding payment within seven days. If payments are still not made, the council stated it is prepared to take the matter to the trial court to recover the outstanding amounts.

Among the companies named are firms partly owned by the current MP for North Thinadhoo, Saudulla Himly, a member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

Responding to the announcement, Saudulla explained that one of the leased plots in question remains unusable, as it is occupied by containers and a warehouse belonging to another party. The company leased the land in August 2023 and had requested the council to clear and hand over the plot, but this has not happened, according to Saudulla. As a result, the company has not been able to carry out any planned work, leading to the decision to return the land to the council. Saudulla said his lawyer had advised him not to pay rent for a property the company could not access.

Despite this, the council formally notified the MP in June that MVR 3,541,510 is due, which includes MVR 115,000 in rent and MVR 254,000 in fines.

Saudulla also acknowledged that two other companies he is associated with have outstanding payments. He attributed the delay to a financial crisis triggered by delayed payments from government entities for projects completed by the companies. Once these payments are settled, Saudulla said, the companies plan to resume paying the council the amounts owed.

The challenge of rent defaults on leased lands has become a growing concern across many islands. Thinadhoo City Council is now among the first to address the issue by naming defaulters publicly, aiming to increase accountability and ensure compliance.