- Airport is a symbol of independence
- INIA earns MVR 1 billion annually
- Handing over INIA to GMR was the biggest financial crime
President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom has revealed the hopes for the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) were grand ones and that the Government was aiming to ensure the airport became a business that can generate US$ 1 billion annually.
In his keynote address at the ceremony held to mark the Golden Jubilee of INIA, President Yameen said the airport was a symbol of the nation's efforts to gain independence. He added that former President Ibrahim Nasir had engineered the airport development project in defiance of the then colonial empire England to prove that Maldives can achieve any feat they set their minds on. President Yameen said the airport was a shining testament to the will and determination of the citizens.
Defining the hand over of INIA to GMR as the biggest financial crime in recent years, the President said under GMR administration MACL had received revenues of around MVR 16 million. He noted that the figure had risen to around MVR 1 billion after the airport was transferred back to MACL administration. The President said they had planned to keep the airport ownership as it is and develop it to better standards.
"If the Airport MD and this team is ready for this initiative, if they give this assurance, then we can generate revenues not in rufiyaa but in dollars. The target is US$ 1 billion," he said.
The President noted that they had initially gotten the confirmation of a full loan, later on they had received reports that only a fraction would be granted. He said this had dampened the drive. But, he said apart from a fraction of the pledged funds, they had received almost all funds, adding the remaining will be assured in the coming weeks.
Taking Singapore as an example, President Yameen said Singapore's airports were developed on a 20 year scale. He noted that Maldives had followed the same example, developing a 25 or 50 year plan for development. He described INIA as the main backer of national independence. He said those who had worked to transfer Airport from GMR to MACL were patriots, adding that ownership of the airport will never again be transferred to a foreign party.
