MP files parliamentary resolution against government takeover of 14 Male' City Council plots

Maldivian lawmaker Meeekail Ahmed Naseem has submitted a resolution to the People's Majlis opposing the government's decision to take over 14 plots of land currently under the Male' City Council's authority. The MP for Galolhu Dhekunu constituency said the decision by the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development to transfer the plots to state ownership violates the country's decentralization law. He argued that the law requires the government to consult the council and share details of proposed projects before such land is taken over. According to the resolution, the ministry made the decision to acquire the 14 plots without revealing any details of the planned projects apart from their names, and without any consultation with the City Council. The resolution also warns that the plots are currently income-generating assets for the Male' City Council. Revenue from the land is used for the maintenance of mosques in Male' and for the council's administrative expenses. Losing these plots would therefore cause major financial difficulties for the council. It further notes that the decision comes at a time when the council has been preparing plans to build parking buildings and recreational grounds to ease congestion in Male', and that the move would harm the city's residents. The MP also said the decision would weaken councils' legal powers and obstruct the decentralization system.