Bill Proposes Cabinet Power to Take Council-Controlled Land for Development Projects

A bill submitted to Parliament seeks to give the Cabinet authority to remove land and lagoons under local council jurisdiction for the implementation of government development projects.

The amendment to the Decentralisation Act was submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent MP aligned with the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

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Under the existing framework, taking land and lagoons under the jurisdiction of local councils requires a presidential decree. The proposed amendment would instead allow the Cabinet to decide to remove specific land or areas from a council’s jurisdiction for government development projects.

According to Hannan, the bill aims to establish a legal framework for councils to fully cooperate with the government in implementing development projects more quickly. He said streamlining procedures for acquiring land required for state projects was another reason for proposing the amendment.

The bill proposes that land or areas required for government projects could be taken before the physical development plan of the relevant island or city has been approved and implemented.

It further proposes that once the Cabinet makes a decision to remove land or lagoons from a council’s jurisdiction, and the Local Government Authority (LGA) informs the council of the decision, the areas would be transferred to the state’s full control.

The proposed amendment would prohibit councils from taking actions without valid justification that obstruct government development projects or decisions that could result in such projects being halted.

A recent dispute over Savaaheli in Addu City has highlighted tensions between the central government and local councils over control of land for development.

In July, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar accused the government of removing Savaaheli from the city council’s jurisdiction to prevent the council from developing the island for the benefit of residents.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu amended Addu City’s administrative boundaries to exclude Savaaheli and the island south of Maradhoo-Feydhoo, citing the need to facilitate tourism development. The change came four days after the council invited investors to submit expressions of interest to develop and operate an entertainment and recreational facility on Savaaheli.

Nizar alleged that the government’s decision was intended to prevent the council’s planned development, arguing that the central government was not undertaking development in Addu while also preventing initiatives planned by the council.