President: Award of islands to councils is a great opportunity for empowerment

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that allowing councils to get uninhabited islands outside its jurisdiction is a golden opportunity for councils to boost income and get empowered.

The Regulation on the Allocation of Uninhabited Islands for Fisheries, Agriculture and Economic Uses', published by the government in January, allows councils to use uninhabited islands outside its jurisdiction for business activities run for the welfare of the public.

Addressing a gathering in Th. Vandhoo on Wednesday, President Muizzu encouraged local councils to make use of the opportunity to seek islands.

He said that the best way a government can support councils is to facilitate opportunities to boost income.

He said that the regulation is a new model designed to facilitate such opportunities.

“Therefore, through this application process, we will, In Sha Allah, hand over neighboring islands or even those some distance away as lost as they are vacant,” he said.

President Muizzu said that business activities in the uninhabited islands will be run by locals, boosting the income of local communities.

“This is something new. This is a great opportunity,” he said.

President Muizzu, who is currently on a three-day tour of Th. Atoll, said that true progress requires empowerment.

Councils interested in getting islands outside its jurisdiction must hold a public meeting to approve proposals, before submitting it to the government.

They must also obtain necessary authorization from the relevant atoll council.

The islands can be utilized for:

• Cultivation of food and plants
• Storage of materials
• Raising chicken, goats or cattle, birds
• Cooking and drying fish
• Producing salted dry fish
• Cooking and drying sea cucumbers at an individual (and not commercial) capacity
• Conducting aquaculture work
• Constructing boats and other vessels
• Conducting workshops and other work related to the use of fiber, carpentry and bricks
• Provide picnics and water sports facilities
• Production and sale of snacks and beverages

The regulation states that councils will receive the islands for a period of ten years.