Govt establishes service centres across 18 atolls

The government has established Government Service Centres in 18 atolls to facilitate access to public services provided by national government institutions.

The President’s Office announced on Thursday that the centres had been established under the authority vested in President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and would operate under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology.

According to the President’s Office, the centres are intended to provide access to services delivered by national government institutions through integrated service centres, in accordance with the Decentralisation Act.

The centres have been established in all administrative atolls except Addu and Fuvahmulah.

The 18 locations are Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, Lhaviyani, Kaafu, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu, Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu Alifu and Gaafu Dhaalu atolls.

The President’s Office said the presidential decree establishing the centres also included their official English names and institutional codes to be used in correspondence with government offices.

The establishment of the centres follows changes to the country’s decentralised governance structure, including the abolition of atoll councils.

The President’s Office had previously instructed the Local Government Authority (LGA) to establish an atoll office in each administrative atoll following the abolition of the councils.

The Government Service Centres will operate under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, while the planned atoll offices will fall under the Local Government Authority.