MPs lambast LGA statement against Kendhikulhudhoo council
"[Such statements] cannot be made for campaign purposes. And the LGA cannot ask to cancel such a statement”.
By
Aminath Shifleen
Lawmakers have expressed dissatisfaction with the Local Government Authority (LGA)’s directive to the N.Kendhikulhudhoo council to revoke a statement they issued criticising President Mohammed Muizzu's tour to the islands.
The statement was issued by the Kendhikulhudhoo council alleging that President Muizzu was misusing state resources and conducting campaign activities in the name of official visits.
The statement noted:
-
Last Thursday, President Muizzu had spoken seeking support for his ruling party during his official visit to Kendhikulhudhoo
-
Describing it as a political movement, the council condemned the president’s political activity at an official meeting
Within 15 minutes of the council statement, the LGA directed the council to revoke the statement. In response, the councillors demonstrated in protest, by putting tape over their mouths.
Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa submitted a motion to the Parliament’s Decentralization Committee to look into the issue between the LGA and Kendhikulhudhoo Council.
In a written response to the committee, the LGA said:
-
Decisions and regulations made by councils should not go beyond the legal mandate
-
The decisions and resolutions of the councils shall remain within the powers of the agency in relation to the services provided to the council
-
Councils are a layer of government; therefore, the activities and services implemented by the councils must be in line with government policies
-
The councils do not have the power to decide on a matter that is within the responsibility of another institution and issue a press statement
The Chairman of the Decentralization Committee, Hulhumale MDP MP Ali Niyaz and other members of the committee were dissatisfied with the LGA's statement and remarks. Some members condemned the statement.
Ali Niyaz said the LGA has repeatedly mentioned that councils do only one thing, but councils operate within a broader mandate. He questioned the LGA's description of the council as a layer of government when it has been empowered to expand its services by generating its own revenue.
"I don't believe it is a layer of the government. A Supreme Court judgement makes it evident too," Niyaz said, noting the statements made by the Supreme Court in a 2022 judgement in a case between the Attorney General and the A.Dh.Fenfushi Council.
"...Therefore, the council will represent itself in matters relating to their area”.
Thoddoo Constituency Member Hassan Shiyan, who is on the committee, said the issue could be resolved nicely, despite there being the possibility of escalating the issue using politics.
"A president or a minister or MP will know what to say at a meeting. But there have been similar political statements made at non-political events before," he said.
"[Such statements] cannot be made for campaign purposes. And the LGA cannot ask to cancel such a statement”.
Some members described the order to quash the council statement as an illegal interference by the LGA to the legal powers of the council.
The committee has not taken a decision on the matter. All the members agreed to summon both the LGA and the members of the Kendhikulhudhoo council to the committee and then proceed with the matter.
