President Mohamed Nasheed has inaugurated the programme to transfer the ownership of state held land titles, in the islands, to Island Councils.
Speaking at a ceremony held in Manadhoo of Noonu Atoll this afternoon, the President said transferring land and other assets held by the state to Island Councils was vital step towards transferring the ownership of the islands to island councils, and more importantly to the people.
Noting that development of the islands was necessary for the development of the entire nation, he said developing the islands would not be possible by imposing the capital’s control over the islands, their resources and wealth.
He said the Maldives could make the best use of country’s land, as many other countries of the world have done, as a vehicle for national development.
In his address today, the President announced the government’s intention to transfer the ownership of land allocated for living, that were not transferred to the councils, to individuals who hold the particular piece of land.
In the Maldives, the land allocated to the people for living is owned by the state until purchased by the individuals.
He revealed that the government would propose amendments to the Land Act to abolish the land tax that has to be paid when a state owned land is transferred to the individual.
The President underlined that the land that would be transferred to the individual were a capital for new commercial ventures that would substantially increase country’s development potential.
Further, he said transfer of land titles held by state to the councils would speed up islands’ development, and country’s growth.
In addition, he urged the councils to conduct transactions of land entitled to them fairly, responsibly and with transparency.
Presidents of island councils of Noonu and Lhaviyani atolls signed the agreements of transferring land titles held by the state to the councils.
