Govt seeks solutions after Rakeedhoo council closure highlights wider staffing challenges

Minister of Local Governance Adam Shareef Umar says the government will hold discussions with the Local Government Authority (LGA) next week to resolve the administrative service disruption at V. Rakeedhoo Council and to address similar risks in other small islands.

Administrative services on Rakeedhoo have been suspended for a week following the resignation of the council’s administrative staff. The disruption prompted islanders to protest on Monday and close the council office.

Speaking to Sun on Tuesday evening, Minister Adam Shareef said it has become increasingly difficult to recruit and retain administrative staff in small, low‑population islands. He noted that in islands like Rakeedhoo, residents often have better income opportunities outside council jobs, making recruitment even harder.

He added that in some countries, when services are unavailable in one location, residents rely on nearby islands for administrative support. However, he said no legal mechanism currently exists in the Maldives to formalise such arrangements.

“We have to plan the best temporary solution. The LGA board will meet next week to decide what immediate steps can be taken,” he said.

The minister also noted that Rakeedhoo is not the only island facing this risk.  

“There are other islands like Rakeedhoo. This has not happened widely yet, but there are islands in Vaavu Atoll where this could potentially occur,” he said.

He added that some islands in Vaavu Atoll, Ari Atoll and other atolls may also face interruptions in administrative services due to staffing shortages.

According to the minister, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and LGA have already been informed of the staffing needs. However, he said recruitment has been stalled since the councils’ term expired last year due to amendments to the Decentralization Act, which require councils to obtain approval from both the LGA and the Ministry of Finance before hiring staff. Neither body has granted that approval so far.

In a post on X on Monday, Minister Adam Shareef said the shortage of administrative staff in small islands, especially those with strong tourism and economic opportunities, is becoming a growing concern.