LGA orders halt to proposed Haa Dhaalu Atoll board

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has instructed councils in Haa Dhaalu Atoll to suspend plans to establish an atoll-level board intended to coordinate development initiatives across the atoll.

The proposed board was discussed during an online meeting convened by Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Atif, with the participation of council presidents from several islands in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

In a letter sent to the Kulhudhuffushi Council on Tuesday, the LGA stated that responsibility for coordinating island development matters was transferred to the authority following the dissolution of Atoll Councils.

The authority said it does not consider the proposed arrangement between Kulhudhuffushi Council and the other island councils to have a legal basis under the current framework.

According to the LGA, establishing a separate board comprising local councils would be inconsistent with the objectives of the recent amendments to the Decentralisation Act.

The authority instructed the council to suspend all work relating to the proposed board and requested clarification on the legal basis relied upon by the participating councils in deciding to establish it.

The current administration abolished Atoll Councils, which had previously been responsible for coordinating regional development.

During the meeting, Mayor Atif proposed the creation of a representative board to enable councils in Haa Dhaalu Atoll to continue working together on development matters after the abolition of the Atoll Council.

According to participants, the proposal received the support of all council presidents present. The councils had agreed to finalise the board's objectives and operating procedures before the 15th of this month.

Representatives from the following councils participated in the meeting: