Muizzu Removes Savaheli from Addu City Jurisdiction

It has emerged that Savaaheli island, which Addu City Council had announced for development, was removed from the city's jurisdiction and taken over by the government through a sudden presidential decree issued by President Muizzu, even as the council had already opened the project for bidding.

Issued late Wednesday night, President Muizzu’s decree introduces formal changes to the administrative boundaries and jurisdiction of Addu City.

The government repossessed the island while the Addu City Council was in the process of seeking a developer for the Savaaheli Entertainment and Recreation Facility, having already opened the project for competitive bidding.

According to the presidential decree, the decision to remove the island from the jurisdiction of Addu City was made to facilitate its development for tourism purposes. However, the decree did not provide any further details regarding the matter.

The decision has sparked widespread public concern. Many have characterized the issuance of such a sudden decree late at night—just as the council had commenced development work on the island—as a deliberate attempt by the government to obstruct local councils.

Furthermore, some critics have accused the government of carrying out this action as a means to undermine the authority of local councils and obstruct the powers granted to them under the decentralization system.

The public is expressing concern that the government's decision to reclaim islands without any prior consultation is a significant obstacle to local economic growth, particularly as the Addu City Council had already been planning a vital development project for the area.