The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has urged the government to halt the repossession of land from local councils without proper consultation with the councils and affected communities.

In a statement issued on Friday, the MDP responded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to reclassify Savahili, an uninhabited island near Feydhoo and Maradhoofeydhoo in Addu City, away from the jurisdiction of the Addu City Council.

This decision was made while the council was preparing to invite tenders for developing an entertainment and recreation facility on the island. Consequently, official zoning maps now list Savahili as a resort island under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation’s control.

The MDP emphasized that although the Decentralisation Act grants the President authority over administrative boundaries, it also mandates consultation with local councils and residents prior to such decisions. 

The party criticized President Muizzu’s move, stating that removing Savahili from the city council’s jurisdiction without consultation violates the law’s intent, disregards the will of Addu’s citizens, and obstructs the city’s development. 

The MDP highlighted that local councils are responsible for creating, adopting, and implementing five-year development and land-use plans in consultation with the public, and any amendments require public engagement. They argued that the President’s authority to change administrative boundaries must adhere to these legal requirements.

Furthermore, the party noted that the government has failed to deliver many development projects across various islands and pointed out that recent local council election results demonstrated strong public support for the work of the MDP-led Addu City Council.

The MDP called on the government to respect the decisions of elected local councils, comply with the Decentralisation Act, and avoid actions that impede local development.