Saying that MDP will be given a piece of land in replacement of Usfasgandu, is corruption: DRP

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has said that it would be an act of corruption to give Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) another piece of land in the event that Usfasgandu is taken from them. Usfasgandu area has been leased by Male’ City Council to MDP to hold political activities.

Speaking at an MDP rally held near Usfasgandu area last night, Male’ City Mayor Maizan Ali Manik (Alibe’) said that if access to one area is denied, access to another area will be granted to MDP by the council. He said that the council currently holds authority over 32 separate pieces of land in the city, which means that MDP will be given a piece of land in replacement as soon as Usfasgandu is taken from them.

Speaking at a press conference held at DRP Office today, DRP Council Member and Thulusdhoo MP Rozaina Adam said that state property and land belong to all citizens, which means that Male’ City Council cannot do as it wishes when dealing with land that is under its authority.

She said that denying the requests of other parties for land to hold political activities, and saying that land will be granted to MDP for political activities is a clear encouragement of corruption which should be investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

“City Council says that the council holds authority over 32 pieces of land in Male’ and that MDP will be given a piece of land in replacement as soon as Usfasgandu is taken from them. Even though they are under the authority of City Council, all state property and land belong to citizens. They are not owned by City Council, they can’t deal with them as they wish. The mayor saying so is direct corruption. Being a citizen of Male’, I am ashamed to hear the mayor of Male’ City Council say such a thing,” she said.

Rozaina criticised Local Government Authority (LGA) for its silence over the matter, and censured LGA on behalf of DRP for its failure to comment on similar incidents in the past.

DRP also strongly condemned the offensive language used by supporters and senior officials of MDP to address the police officers who went to Usfasgandu to take over the area following a court order.