Male' City Council has filed a civil suit against the Ministry of Housing after the government decided to take over 14 plots of land under the council’s jurisdiction.
Deputy Mayor Meekail Mohamed Riyaz said at a press conference today that the government had informed the council that the land would be taken over for development projects but had not provided details of the planned developments.
He said the council had sent letters to the ministry seeking clarification but had received no response. The council has therefore filed a case in court seeking a stay order against the takeover, he said.
The 14 sites include:
- Sultan Park and the National Museum
- Fish Market
- Reclaimed area of the fish market
- Local market
- Land housing the Male' City Council staff accommodation building
- Building housing the Chamber of Commerce office
- Carnival area
- Artificial Beach
- Fishermen’s Square
- Vacant land in the area around Thaisey Koshi
- Pay Toilet No. 2
- Land used by the council to store plants
- Bondibaiy Park
- Rasfannu
The Ministry of Housing said the decision was made to provide development and infrastructure services for residents of Male' and Vilimale'.
The ministry has invited complaints and opinions on the decision within 14 days.
The takeover follows amendments to the Decentralisation Act passed last month, allowing the government to take over council land for development projects.
Under the amended law, the Cabinet must consult the relevant council before deciding to take over its land. The amendments also set out conditions for such takeovers, including provisions for councils or other parties to submit investment proposals to the Ministry of Finance and for appropriate compensation to be provided.
