Male' City Council has unanimously decided to take the government to court after the Housing Ministry informed it of plans to take over 14 plots of land under the council’s jurisdiction.

At an emergency meeting last night, Hulhumale' South member Ahmed Ghalib proposed seeking an interim court order and taking the matter to the Supreme Court on constitutional grounds. The council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the move.

The council’s Secretary General said the government had decided to take over the 14 plots, which are used to provide basic and other daily services to residents and generate revenue for the council.

Mayor Adam Azim said the land generates income that has already been factored into the council’s budget.

“The government should also tell us how we will get the money allocated in the budget. How will we get the revenue if they take these lands? That is something they should do,” he said.

Azim, a member of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said revenue from the plots also helps fund mosque maintenance and the council’s administrative operations.

He said the government had decided to take over the land while the council was preparing development plans and projects intended to benefit Male' residents.

These included plans for parking buildings, parks and open spaces aimed at reducing congestion in the capital, he said.

“This government cannot do anything that will make it easier for the people and so it also preventing the work of those who are doing it. I see it as a government that has come to make fun of the people,” Azim said.

He added that the changes could make it more difficult for the council to provide services, including the renovation of Sinamale and Malé Hiyaa flats in Vilimale'.