Island councils have been allowed to include uninhabited islands and lagoons in their respective atolls, under their jurisdiction.

This was announced by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a press conference held on Tuesday.

The presser was held following a meeting with the president’s Cabinet of Ministers.

Speaking to the press, the president announced the decision to grant island councils the ability to incorporate uninhabited islands and lagoons in their atolls under their jurisdiction in a bid to boost their revenue.

It was also revealed that this will be done under specific guidelines.

Shedding light on obstacles despite uninhabited islands and lagoons within 700 meters of an island being under council jurisdiction, President Muizzu said that the jurisdiction of some islands lack an uninhabited island or lagoon and other islands’ jurisdictions have uninhabited islands and lagoons leased for other purposes.

The president noted that there were two main reasons behind the facilitation of this policy, firstly to ensure that it complied with the government's national development plan and secondly, to obtain approval from the residents of the other islands that are part of the atoll, including the uninhabited island or lagoon.

Further, President Muizzu noted that allowing councils to get such assets without undermining the primary industries of Maldives will strengthen the councils and empower the populace.

The incumbent administration’s ‘Hafthaa 14’ roadmap urges the incorporation of resources or places within the island's jurisdiction to benefit citizens of the respective islands.