New bill seeks to expand govt’s powers to seize land under councils’ jurisdiction

An independent lawmaker has submitted a new bill seeking to grant the central government greater powers to seize property under the jurisdiction of local councils, including land, in order to run government projects.

The bill, which proposes introducing new provisions to the Decentralization Act, was submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakr, an independent aligned with the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

Taking over land and lagoons under the jurisdiction of local councils currently requires a presidential decree.

But Hannan’s bill proposes granting the cabinet the power to take over land and lagoons.

It states that land and lagoons will be removed from the jurisdiction of councils and transferred under the full control of the state once the cabinet makes such decisions, and the Local Government Authority (LGA) informs councils of it.

It also states that councils will be required to hand over land to the LGA upon request of the central government when seeking land to run projects.

The bill is also designed to prohibit councilors from acting, without a justifiable reason, in a manner that hinders planned government projects, or making any decision that could obstruct such projects.

The new bill comes amid complaints from top government officials over lack of cooperation from some councils for planned projects, including refusal to hand over land.

It also follows controversial amendments to the Decentralization Act last year that curtailed the power of councils to recruit new staff and lease land, lagoons and reefs under their jurisdiction close to council elections.