President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the state will only take possession of land under local council jurisdiction as a last resort to facilitate crucial public development projects.
The President made these remarks following his ratification of the latest amendment to the Decentralization Act, which legally empowers the state to reclaim council-administered land under specific conditions.
Speaking after the ratification, President Muizzu explained that the government backed the amendment—which was submitted to the Parliament by an independent lawmaker—to resolve ongoing developmental bottlenecks.
He highlighted that several opposition-led local councils had been actively obstructing the allocation of land required for planned state projects, causing significant delays across various islands.
"In reality, the government does not want to remove land from councils, but when obstacles are created, delays drag on for months. In such cases, projects must proceed even if it means taking possession of the land,” he explained.
To address concerns over potential government overreach, the President emphasised that the new law establishes a rigorous, transparent procedural framework that must be exhausted before any land repossession proposal reaches the Cabinet. Under these guidelines, the government is legally required to publicly disclose project details and actively seek public feedback. Local councils will also be granted formal opportunities to consult with the relevant government authorities.
The President also assured that if a council or third party has made prior financial investments on the land slated for repossession, the state is legally obligated to provide fair compensation. He reiterated that no land would be transferred until all procedural requirements, including public participation and consultation, are fully met.
With the amendment now officially enacted into law, the government stated it expects to successfully bypass localised political roadblocks and streamline vital infrastructure development across the Maldives.