Mayor of Addu City Ali Nizar has revealed that individuals that have already acquired land for fish and poultry farms will have the opportunity to enter a new agreement, even if they followed the existing regulations of the previous land allocation.
The Addu City Council has introduced new regulations for operating fish and poultry farms, effective from July 10. These regulations categorise land allocation into two types, which includes land allocated without adhering to tender rules and land allocated under tender rules. The rent for land allocated without complying with tender rules is USD 1.94 per square meter, and such allocations are limited to plots not exceeding 5,000 square meters.
Residents of Addu can apply for the land categories, with a maximum allocation of one plot per person. In addition, land can be allocated for up to three years without a tender process. The land will be categorised into four types. Businesses registered in the Maldives, including private individual businesses, companies, partnerships, local investment groups, and cooperative societies, are eligible to apply for these allocations. The existing agreements for land allocated before the new regulations took effect will be cancelled within three months.
Speaking to PSM News, Mayor Nizar said that these regulations will be cancelled within three months of implementation. He also said that individuals that have already acquired land under the old regulations will have the chance to enter into a new agreement under the new regulations. The new regulations stipulate that any leased or sold allocated land without council permission can be confiscated without compensation. The council is also authorised to impose fines ranging from USD 64.90 to USD 324.30.