The Local Government Authority (LGA) has cancelled the notice by Maafushi island council ordering Safari's to vacate the port of Maafushi island, in Kaafu atoll.

The initial announcement by the island council refers to the decentralisation act and ordered safari's not to dock within the jurisdiction of the council in the port of Maafushi. The announcement also warns that failing to vacate the area within the allocated time period will result in the seizure of the vessel to be disposed of or auctioned off.

However, LGA highlighted that only the president can declare the jurisdiction of the island council as per the decentralisation act and that the president has yet to issue any such announcements.

Citing article 40(a) of the Maldives Constitution, which states that the state cannot seize the property of any citizen without a court order, LGA declared that the state does not have the authority to forgo the court process and auction or dispose of an individual's property.

As such, LGA announced that the authority has voided the notice and informed the island council of the fact.