MDP proposes amendments to revise bill allowing seizure of council lands

Proposed amendments have been submitted to the Decentralization Act to revise the procedures for the government to reclaim land and properties under local council jurisdiction for national development projects. Under the proposed changes, the government would be authorized to remove specific areas from the jurisdiction of a city or island council when such sites are required for state-led development initiatives.

The amendment to the bill, sponsored and introduced by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, was proposed by MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) representative for the North Galolhu constituency.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the member outlined several proposed amendments to the bill.

The member has proposed an amendment to the bill stipulating that any land, lagoon, uninhabited island, marine resource, or other asset within the jurisdiction of a local or city council cannot be transferred to the central government's control without prior consultation with the respective council.

Furthermore, the member proposed that the Local Government Authority (LGA) formulate and publicly gazette a regulation outlining the procedures and consultative processes for the transfer of jurisdictions and resources between the central government and local councils.

The proposed amendment further stipulates that if the central government proposes any changes to a council’s jurisdiction or resources, the council must hold a public consultation with the residents of the respective island or city to seek their input before a final decision is made.

The amendment proposed by the member stipulates that if the central government intends to remove an asset or resource from a council's jurisdiction, it must compile and publicly release a detailed written statement. This statement must outline the reasons for the removal and provide a comprehensive explanation of how the decision serves to protect the public interest.

During Monday's Parliament sitting, lawmakers voted to accept a government-proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act. The bill grants the government authority to remove lands and areas from the jurisdiction of local island or city councils to facilitate national development projects.

Despite widespread public concern, the majority of Parliament has voted to accept the bill, which has now been forwarded to the Decentralization Committee for further review. As the legislative process continues, a petition has also been submitted to Parliament calling for the bill's withdrawal.