Government control over 100 hectares of land in Addu results in monthly loss of MVR 10 million!
29 ޖުލައި 2026 | ބުދަ 11:08The Addu City Council has revealed that the central government’s decision to seize control of over 100 hectares of land within the city's jurisdiction is resulting in a monthly revenue loss of 10 million Rufiyaa for its residents. The Council emphasized that this move undermines the benefits of the decentralization system and creates significant financial hurdles in securing the necessary funding for the city's developmental projects.
Addu Hulhudhoo — Hulhudhoo is now a town governed by its own separate council. | Addu Hulhudhoo Council
The Addu City Council has revealed that the local community is losing millions of Rufiyaa in potential monthly income due to the central government maintaining control over a significant portion of land within the city's jurisdiction.
The Addu City Council announced this during a press conference held at the council's secretariat.
Speaking at the press conference, Hussain Zareer, the MDP Councilor for the Hithadhoo Rasgedhara constituency, stated that residents are not receiving any benefits from the uninhabited islands under the jurisdiction of the Addu City Council. He noted that out of the 12 uninhabited islands in Addu, eight have already been taken over by the central government under various designations.
The council noted that 42 hectares of land recently reclaimed for the development of Addu City has been brought under the direct control of the central government following a recent administrative decision. According to the council, all rental income generated from this land is now being diverted directly to the state treasury rather than the local authority.
Furthermore, approximately 20 hectares of land across three resort islands within the Addu lagoon also remain under government control.
The Addu City Council stated that it intends to highlight to the public that approximately 100 hectares of land in the city remain tied up under various forms of central government influence. Councilor Zareer noted that in terms of lost financial benefits, the residents of Addu are losing at least MVR 10 million per month. He explained that this figure is based on the city's minimum land valuation rate of just one Rufiyaa per square foot.
The Addu City Council has described the lack of authority over land management as a significant barrier to the benefits citizens should receive under the decentralization system. The Council further noted that this situation presents major challenges in generating the necessary revenue for the city's development projects.
