City Councils to receive jurisdiction for land and lagoons

The Cabinet has given City Councils the power to govern all matters regarding land and lagoons.

According to the President's Office, the decision was made after due discussion during the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. These include the power to rent, lease, invest, as well as taking ownership of these investments for economic and social purposes.

The President's Office stated City Councils as now having the power to establish measures to aid states of emergency and disasters. Additionally, the President's Office mentioned the newly appointed powers to the City Councils as befitting to guidelines imposed by authorities who previously held that power.

As stated in the Decentralization Act passed in 2011, all City Councils have the power to govern all matters regarding land and lagoons. However, former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom had revised the Act, bringing all powers under the president.