Bill introduced to allow cabinet to remove land from councils

A bill seeking to amend the Decentralisation Act to allow the Cabinet of Ministers to reclaim land and property owned by local councils for government development projects has been introduced to the People's Majlis.

The bill was submitted during Wednesday's sitting by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, an independent member who aligns with government policies.

Although Hannan is not a member of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), he has previously submitted government-backed legislation, including the proposed Media Control Commission Bill.

The latest bill proposes changes that would expand the powers of the central government over land and property under council jurisdiction.

Under the proposed amendment, a new provision would be inserted after Section 56-2(l) of the Decentralisation Act stating that, notwithstanding any provision of the Act or any other law, the Cabinet may decide to remove land or property from a council's jurisdiction to facilitate a government development project.

Once such a decision is made and communicated to the relevant council by the Local Government Authority (LGA), the land or property would immediately cease to be under council ownership and come under state authority. The relevant authority would also be required to publish the decision.

Under the current Decentralisation Act, the President has the authority to determine the jurisdiction of councils. That provision has previously been used to remove islands and lagoons from council jurisdiction, with compensation required for investments made on the affected land.

The proposed amendment would also require councils to hand over land requested for government development projects, regardless of the provisions of other laws and before an island or city physical development plan has been approved or implemented.

In addition, the bill proposes amendments to the code of conduct for councillors, requiring them to cooperate with government projects carried out in the public interest.

It also seeks to prohibit councils from obstructing government projects without reasonable cause or making decisions that result in such projects being delayed or halted.

If approved by Parliament and ratified by the President, the amendments would come into effect immediately.

The bill comes after the local council elections held in April, in which the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured majorities in all city councils and a number of island councils.