President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that all councils in the country will have the opportunity to acquire an uninhabited island, adding that enough islands will be gazetted for all councils.

The President said that under the current gazetted rules, every council will have the opportunity to acquire an island and it does not have to be adjacent to the island.

He said he gazetted a few islands first because he did not want to take a risk.

The President said that according to the current rules, councils will get lagoons for 10 years but the ten years will be extended to 25 years. The legal team of the President's Office is currently working on the change, he said.

The President further said that the issue of Thaavatha is in court and he wants the people of Meedhoo to get the lagoon as they want. However, he said the government would not influence the court case.