Yameen urges councils to lease land to investors instead of surrendering it

Former President Abdulla Yameen has called on local councils to oppose government attempts to take over land under their jurisdiction and urged councils to lease land to investors to generate economic activity in their communities.

Yameen made the remarks on Saturday night at a gathering in GDh. Thinadhoo marking the 60th anniversary of the island’s second resettlement.

His comments come as parliament considers an amendment to the Decentralisation Act that would expand the government’s authority to take over land and buildings under the jurisdiction of island and city councils.

Yameen described the proposed amendment as an attempt by the government to “seize land” and called on councils to issue statements and hold protests against the move. He also described resistance to the proposal as a “national jihad”.

“It is unclear for what purpose or necessity the government is trying to take away land within your jurisdiction. Reclaiming land in this manner is problematic,” Yameen said.

At the same time, Yameen said councils should make use of land under their jurisdiction by opening opportunities for investment.

He said investment opportunities should be available to Maldivian businesses, foreign investors and joint ventures between local and overseas investors.

“Maldivian businessmen alone cannot bring development to these islands. Land in these islands must be opened up for foreign investments as well as joint-venture investments between locals and foreigners,” he said.

Yameen also called on councils to offer longer lease periods when allocating land for investment, saying this would give investors more confidence to commit capital to projects.

“Be generous with lease durations when granting land. If someone builds a college on this island and eventually leaves, they cannot take the building with them. After a long period, that infrastructure will remain as heritage for the people of this island,” he said.

Yameen said investors seek returns from their investments, but argued that their capital could also create services and infrastructure that may otherwise not be available to island communities.

During his speech, Yameen also criticised the government’s management of the economy, saying he saw no indication under current policies that the country’s economic situation could be reversed within the next two years.

He also criticised proposed amendments to foreign exchange legislation that would penalise the publication or dissemination of information on foreign currency transactions conducted outside rates or bands set by the Maldives Monetary Authority.

“Muzzling people on major national issues will not solve the underlying problems,” Yameen said.

He further raised concerns about corruption and the Maldives’ performance on corruption indices at a time when households are facing economic pressure.

Yameen also criticised the performance of the executive, oversight institutions including the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the judiciary, saying public confidence in state institutions had declined.