Government to Take Vacant Land Near Thaisé Koshi

The government has decided to take a vacant plot of land near Thaisé Koshi from the Male' City Council, as part of a larger acquisition of 14 council lands for state use. The Housing Ministry announced the decision on Thursday, stating that the lands are needed for development projects and infrastructure to serve the populations of Male' and Vilimalé. The Thaisé Koshi plot, located southeast of Male' near the former Male' prison and the council's football field, is under the council's public services division. A senior government official said the land being taken is a vacant plot near Thaisé Koshi and is not related to the council's operations. The council had cleared the Thaisé Koshi land last year and had begun a process to rent it to skilled youth to generate income. The move follows an amendment to the Decentralization Act last month, which allows the cabinet to decide on taking council lands for development projects. Under the amendment, the government must consult the council before acquiring land and ensure compensation for any investments made by the council or other parties, to be submitted to the Finance Ministry. The 14 lands being acquired include Sultan Park and the National Museum, the Fish Market, the reclaimed area of the Fish Market, the Local Market, the council's workers' accommodation building land, the Traders Association office building, the Carnival area, the Artificial Beach, the Fishermen's Maizaan, the vacant land in the Thaisé Koshi area, Kuleefaashana No. 2, a land used by the council for plants, Bondibai Park, and Rasfannu. The Housing Ministry has invited any objections or opinions on the acquisition to be submitted within 14 days from today.