President says councils to be strengthened after local elections
President Muizzu referred to steps taken by the government over the past two years to improve access to services at island level.
President Mohamed Muizzu on Thursday said he expects the role and responsibilities of local councils to be further strengthened following the upcoming local council elections.
Speaking on the occasion of Decentralisation Day, the President said the government is working to listen to citizens and ensure that public services are delivered closer to communities.
He said the Maldives has historically operated with decentralised governance and that the current Constitution provides a framework to further strengthen the decentralisation system.
In his address, President Muizzu referred to steps taken by the government over the past two years to improve access to services at island level. He said health, education and social services have been expanded, while police services and automated teller machines have been established across all islands.
The President said efforts are under way to expand sports facilities and public parks, and that basic water and sewerage services will be provided to all islands.
Referring to his previous role as Mayor of Malé, President Muizzu said he had visited all islands of the Maldives in the process of developing the country’s national development vision.
He said that as the goals of the Maldives 2.0 initiative are implemented and digital services are expanded, more opportunities will become available for accessing public services and income-generating activities at island level.
Despite the President’s expectation that the 4 April local council elections will further empower councils, the government has passed amendments through its parliamentary majority limiting councils’ authority over three key financial matters during the final year of their term. Under the amendments, these decisions now require government approval. Atoll councils have also been abolished.
