Proposed Bill Allows Government to Seize Council Land for Development Projects

A proposed amendment to the Decentralisation Act could grant the Maldivian government the authority to take over land under local council jurisdiction to expedite national development projects. The independent bill, submitted by Thulhaadhoo Parliamentarian Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, seeks to establish a legal framework that ensures councils cooperate fully with state-led initiatives. The primary goal is to eliminate bureaucratic delays and streamline the process of securing land for essential infrastructure. Under the proposed changes, the Cabinet of Ministers would have the power to decide if specific land or locations must be removed from a council's jurisdiction. Notably, the bill allows for this transfer to occur even before the physical development plan for the relevant island or city has been officially approved or implemented. Furthermore, the legislation would mandate that local councils provide full cooperation for projects deemed to be in the collective public interest. It explicitly prohibits councils from taking actions or making decisions that obstruct or delay government projects without a valid, documented justification. This legislative push follows mounting frustrations from various government ministries. Officials have reported that a lack of cooperation from certain island and city councils has stalled critical development work, preventing projects from progressing at the required pace. If passed, the amendment would significantly shift the balance of power between central government authorities and local administrations, prioritizing national development goals over local land autonomy.