Parliament Amends Decentralisation Act Allowing Government to Acquire Council Land

The Maldivian Parliament has passed a pivotal amendment to the Decentralisation Act, granting the national government the authority to acquire land under the jurisdiction of local councils for the purpose of development projects. The legislative change, initially submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, empowers the Cabinet to remove specific land or areas from a council's jurisdiction when required for state development. Notably, the government can now acquire these areas even if the respective island or city has not yet approved or implemented its physical development plan. To ensure the smooth delivery of state initiatives, the amendment mandates that local councils fully cooperate with the government when projects are carried out for the collective benefit of residents. The law now explicitly prohibits councils from taking actions that obstruct such projects without a valid reason or making decisions that could lead to a project's suspension. During the review process, the Decentralisation Committee introduced a critical safeguard to protect council interests. A new provision requires the relevant ministry to provide compensation for any investments already made on the land that the government acquires. The bill passed with a significant majority, receiving 47 votes in favor and 12 votes against from Members of Parliament. This move represents a strategic shift in the balance of power between central government authority and local council autonomy, aiming to accelerate national infrastructure and development goals across the archipelago.