MPs of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) have alleged that local councils are operating as independent governments and obstructing development projects initiated by the central administration.
During a debate on a government-backed petition calling for legislative amendments that would allow the state to reclaim council-administered land at its discretion, PNC lawmakers criticised the conduct of local authorities.
Speaking on the floor today, Eydhafushi MP Ahmed Saleem said that some councils appear to have forgotten that the Maldives is a unitary state.
"Some councils seem to be under the impression that they are separate governments, Honourable Speaker, as if this unitary state has changed and they are independent administrations," Saleem said.
He further alleged that councils are sowing division within island communities and asserted that the President holds the constitutional authority to take all necessary measures to reform the nation.
"Our concern is that if this continues, within the next 10 years, every atoll might claim to be independent and declare that the central government has no authority over them. This is the direction we are headed," Saleem warned.
Contributing to the debate, Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed claimed that development projects in numerous islands have stalled due to the actions of local councils.
"Many essential government works and development initiatives remain unfulfilled because councils refuse to provide or facilitate the necessary land," Latheef said.
He further alleged that councils with majorities from opposition parties are intentionally harassing and obstructing the government’s agenda.
The second petition supporting the government's power to reclaim island land was submitted to Parliament following an amendment to the parliamentary rules of procedure, which now allows multiple petitions to be filed on the same issue.
This procedural change was implemented after the first pro-government petition, which garnered 855 signatures, was inadvertently sent to a committee by the submitter before it could be formally processed.
The government’s push for a supportive petition comes as a counter-measure to an earlier petition opposing the land reclamation bill. That petition, submitted by social media activist Midhuam Saud, argued that the proposed bill violates the spirit of the Decentralization Act and called for its immediate withdrawal.
