MDP fails to meet minister to discuss councillors’ concerns
Niyaz stated that the party had attempted to meet the minister before noon but expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of engagement.
A delegation from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) attempted to meet local government minister Adam Shareef Monday to present a letter outlining the concerns of MDP councillors in local councils.
However, the delegation was unable to secure a meeting with the minister.
Led by former Deputy Chairman Ali Niyaz and Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Nazim, the MDP delegation arrived at the local government ministry Monday morning. They remained at the ministry for approximately two hours, seeking to deliver the letter expressing their concerns regarding a recently passed urban development law.
The law grants the government authority over rural land use and urban planning in the provinces, which has raised objections from MDP councillors.
Speaking to Raajje TV outside the ministry, Ali Niyaz stated that the party had attempted to meet the minister before noon but expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of engagement.
He noted, "The minister claimed the bill was drafted without consulting the ministry, which was specifically established to advise on council matters. There seems to be no other function for this ministry."
The MDP recently organised a councillors' conference in HDh. Kulhudhuffushi amid discussions by some government members of parliament on reintroducing island chief system. During the conference, councillors from three northern atolls and mayors from five cities committed to safeguarding decentralisation.
The MDP delegation had intended to hand over a copy of the councillors’ affidavit to the minister, had the meeting taken place.
