Government decides to share 50 percent earned from atoll stores with atoll councils

In an attempt to develop the local governance system, the government has decided to share 50 percent of rent fee earned from the atoll shops to the atoll councils, starting from July this year.

This was announced today by President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, speaking at a function organized by the Local Government Authority in Islamic Centre to mark the anniversary of the implantation of decentralized governance.

The President said that the government has decided to share 50 percent of the rent fees obtained from the atoll stores in Male’ and that the principles regarding the issue will be established jointly by the Local Government Authority and the relevant authorities. The president said that he hoped that the process will see implementation starting from 1st of July this year.

In addition, the President said that the government would also provide to atoll councils, 50 per cent of the lease rent on uninhabited islands. The President said he was confident that those changes would further facilitate people oriented development by empowering citizens.

He also assured that the government was committed to give further assistance and support to the councils.

The President also said that a large amount of the people’s funds have been utilized by the government, and gave assurance that he will return the money back to the people.

“The money the citizen’s accounts, as you would be aware, a large amount of this money has been spent by the government. Therefore, I intend to include a method in next year’s budget in order to return the money to the citizens,” said the President.