Members of Parliament have stated that the proposed bill on leasing uninhabited islands and lagoons will establish a transparent system, effectively ending the misappropriation of such resources. During the debate on the government-sponsored bill, members highlighted that while there had previously been a culture of allocating islands outside established regulations, the new legislation will pave the way for the productive and responsible utilization of these natural assets. Furthermore, members emphasized that the bill is of significant economic and social importance to the Maldives, noting the necessity of incorporating environmental protection principles into the allocation process.
Under the provisions of this bill, the President will be authorized to designate uninhabited islands and lagoons for various purposes. These include tourism, fisheries, and agriculture, as well as industrial and social development projects. While members of the ruling party expressed their support for the bill, representatives from the opposition MDP raised questions regarding its primary objectives. The government’s objective is to repeal the existing Uninhabited Islands Act and strengthen the regulatory framework through this new legislation.
