According to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, a law is under consideration to assign islands from atolls to island councils in an effort to boost the councils’ revenue.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that one of his campaign pledges was to strengthen the councils and provide the conditions for financial independence during a press conference held at the President’s Office today.
Concurrently, the President pointed out that islands have been distributed for different economic reasons and that many of the islands distributed in this manner are not being utilised as envisaged.
Yet the islands are not being utilised the way they should be. People are dealing with a lot of issues as a result. On certain islands, this is true. Furthermore, if various initiatives are implemented, the councils and islands will profit.”
Additionally, he stated that regulations governing the transfer of these islands to the councils would be outlined in a national development master plan.
“The rule is that if the proposal is submitted and the consent of the people of all the other islands in the atoll is valid, then uninhabited islands should be allowed to be used for the development of the the Maldives and if the main industries operating in the Maldives are not affected by it,” he stated.
According to him, when the islands are released in this way, rural communities will have more employment and income options.
