Intent behind bill allowing seizure of council lands is to strip citizens of their income-generating resources: Humaidha
16 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 09:51Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor has warned that proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act will strip local councils of their authority and deprive citizens of vital income-generating resources. Highlighting that these changes prioritize foreign investors over public interest, she characterized the move as a dangerous shift and accused the government of intentionally undermining the empowerment of local councils.
From RaajjeTV's "Fala Surukhee" program. | Raajje MV
Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor, a lead volunteer for the "Save Maldives Campaign," has stated that the true intent behind the bill allowing the repossession of council lands is to deprive citizens of their means of generating income.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Humaidha stated that the proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act would strip citizens of the benefits they currently derive from their natural resources, including palm trees, vegetation, reefs, and lagoons. Questioning whether national policies are truly formulated for the benefit of the Maldivian people, Humaidha noted that the government consistently exerts its influence to seize public assets for the sake of accommodating foreign investors.
Humaidha stated that the proposed bill allowing the government to reclaim council lands is not a genuine reform, but rather a regressive shift. She further cautioned that making abrupt legislative changes poses a significant danger.
Stripping councils of their powers, or depriving them of the opportunity to prioritize essential local tasks, constitutes a significant barrier to providing services directly to the people. It hinders the ability of citizens to find solutions for their needs, voice their concerns on matters of public interest, and effectively manage their own local administration.Humaidha Abdul Ghafoor
Humaidha stated that the current legislative trend appears to be regressive, moving away from the existing standards. She further noted that the proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act does not serve the public interest, characterizing the bill as an attempt to undermine the authority of local councils.
Humaidha accused the central government of actively working to withhold the budget and authority legally owed to local councils. She further asserted that while the administration often questions the competency of local councils, it is, in fact, the government itself that lacks the necessary capability. She added that the ultimate burden of these shortcomings is borne by the citizens, who are forced to endure the resulting hardships.
