MP seeks public forums before transfer of council land to govt
The bill was introduced to Parliament last Wednesday and accepted for consideration on Monday following debate.
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Galolhu Uthuru MP Mohamed Ibrahim, known as Kudoo, on Monday proposed amendments requiring councils and residents to be consulted before the government can reclaim land, property or other resources under the jurisdiction of local councils.
The amendments were proposed to a bill seeking changes to the Decentralisation Act that would give the Cabinet powers to remove land and property from council jurisdiction for government projects.
The bill was introduced to Parliament last Wednesday and accepted for consideration on Monday following debate. It has now been referred to Parliament's Decentralisation Committee for review.
Mohamed Ibrahim's proposed amendments seek to introduce consultation requirements before the central government can take control of resources under a council's jurisdiction.
Under his proposal, land, lagoons, uninhabited islands, marine resources or other assets within the jurisdiction of an island or city council could not be transferred to the central government without prior consultation with the council.
The proposal would also require the Local Government Authority (LGA) to formulate and publish regulations setting out the procedures for consultation when jurisdiction or resources are transferred between councils and the central government.
If the government proposes changes to the jurisdiction or resources of an island or city council, the council would be required to hold a public forum with residents before a decision is made.
The meeting would be used to gather the views of residents on the proposed transfer.
Mohamed Ibrahim has also proposed requiring the government to provide an explanation when seeking to remove an asset or resource from council jurisdiction.
Under the amendment, the government would have to prepare and publish a statement setting out the reasons for the decision and explaining how the proposed transfer serves the public interest.
The bill currently before Parliament proposes allowing the Cabinet to decide that land or property under a council should be transferred to state authority when required for government development projects.
Once such a decision is communicated to the council through the LGA, the land or property would cease to be under the council and come under state authority.
The legislation has drawn opposition from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and members of the public over its proposed changes to council powers.
An e-petition calling on Parliament to reject and return the bill was opened for public signatures on Sunday, a day before Parliament accepted the legislation for committee review.
