President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated today that separating lands within the jurisdiction of local councils to carry out development projects is not something the government wants to do unless there is no other choice.
In a video message released by the President's Office after ratifying the bill passed by the Parliament last week allowing the government to take lands under council jurisdiction for development purposes, President Muizzu stated that the government supported the bill submitted by an independent member because it offers a solution to the obstacles posed by councils to running projects. He added that councils in some islands pose various obstacles to the efforts being made by the government to fulfill promises made to the citizens.
"In reality, the government does not want to separate lands from councils. However, if obstacles are being created, things are delayed by many months. If that happens, if there is no other way, projects have to be run even if it means separating the land," the President said.
He also noted that according to the bill, even if the Cabinet decides to take a council's land for the government, the council must be consulted regarding the matter. The President stated that under the amendment brought to the law, many requirements must be fulfilled when the Cabinet decides to take a council's land.
"One thing is, land can be separated only to carry out a development project. Before separating the land, the government must publish information about the development project, information on which project the land is being taken for," President Muizzu said.
The Parliament passed the 19th amendment to the Decentralization Act last Wednesday. With the ratification of the bill today, implementation of the law has now begun.
According to the bill submitted by independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannaan, councils' lands can be reclaimed by the government through a Cabinet decision to carry out government projects.
Additionally, assets and resources owned by atoll councils have also been transferred under the Ministry of Finance upon the implementation of this law.
The new amendment to the law facilitates a mechanism where, if a council or another party has made an investment in the land being separated, an application can be submitted to the Ministry of Finance to receive reasonable compensation.
The President's Office stated that the purpose of the amendment is to ensure full cooperation from councils within a legal framework to speed up government development projects, and to strengthen procedures regarding lands needed for state projects.
The bill was passed by the Parliament with the support of members from the ruling PNC, receiving 47 votes out of the 59 members who participated in the vote.
The 11 members who voted against passing the bill were from the opposition MDP.
As the amendment to the Decentralization Act was ratified, members of the public have started signing a petition against it. So far, more than 6,000 people have signed it.
