Government instructs LGA to set up new Atoll Offices under decentralisation reforms

The Local Government Authority (LGA) will establish an LGA office in every atoll following the dissolution of Atoll Councils, the authority announced Sunday.

The President’s Office has instructed LGA to set up these offices to take over the functions previously carried out by Atoll Councils. In a letter sent to the authority, the President’s Office clarified that these offices, created under the Decentralization Act, are not separate government agencies.

The offices will be named “Local Government Authority - (Atoll) Office”, such as Local Government Authority - Baa Atoll Office.

According to the President’s Office, the new LGA offices will begin providing services after the local council elections, once Atoll Councils are formally dissolved. The increased block grant allocated for councils will be distributed among island and city councils.

The letter also stated that the terms of all Atoll Councils have now expired and the councils stand dissolved. The President has instructed relevant authorities to ensure that no employee loses their job and that salaries and allowances remain unaffected during the transition.

Abolishing Atoll Councils and reducing the number of councillors was a key pledge of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s campaign. Parliament amended the Decentralization Act last year to remove Atoll Councils and reduce council membership.

With the amendments now in effect, the terms of all Atoll Councillors ended on Sunday.