President: Significant efforts made to expand decentralized services by delegating more powers

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that his administration has made significant efforts to expand decentralized services by delegating more powers and building public trust.

In an address on Thursday on occasion of Decentralization Day, President Muizzu noted that the geographic structure of the Maldives as a chain of dispersed islands has historically necessitated a decentralized approach to governance – as evident from how affairs were managed in past eras and from historical official documents.

He also stated that with the current Constitution in effect, opportunities to strengthen the decentralized system have further expanded.

Highlighting on the efforts of his own administration, President Muizzu said that significant efforts have been made over the past two years to expand decentralized services by delegating more powers and building public trust.

He added that many aspirations councils have held since the inception of the Decentralization Act have now become reality.

“Things like paving more avenues for councils to generate income, securing the rightful position and status for Women's Development Committees, and increasing the salary of council employees. And this administration has also taken the initiative to provide resources and construct modern administrative buildings that councils need,” he said.

President Muizzu said that his administration has also expanded healthcare, education and social facilities across the country, established a police post and ATM services in all inhabited islands, and national ID card and passport services in every atoll.

He said that efforts are underway to expand sports facilities and public parks across the islands, and provided assurance that water and sewerage services will be established in all inhabited islands.

“My hope is that with the upcoming Local Council Elections, the role and functioning of councils further strengthens, and we can realize the aspirations of the people for development and prosperity by working together with the central government,” he said.

President Muizzu also said that consultations have been conducted across all islands in preparation for the formulation of the National Development Master Plan.

Addressing broader national concerns, he provided assurance that efforts are underway in all islands to find permanent solutions to pressing issues, including undocumented migration, drug trafficking and gang-related crimes.

As the goals of Maldives 2.0 are achieved and the conveniences of a digital Maldives are realized, opportunities for Maldivian citizens to access services and create income-generating avenues whilst remaining in their respective islands will increasingly expand, he said.

Significant changes made by the incumbent administration to the decentralization system includes dissolving atoll councils, downsizing councils in islands with small populations, and empowering the central government to conduct projects without permission from councils – changes that the opposition argue curtails the powers of local councils.