Nimal: Kulhudhuffushi branch ceased services without approval, has been ordered to resume

Local Government Authority (LGA)’s CEO Mohamed Nimal, on Sunday, said that the authority’s branch in Kulhudhuffushi had suspended transport-related services last Wednesday without obtaining the necessary authorization, adding all branches have now been instructed to resume services as normal.

Last week, the LGA’s Kulhudhuffushi branch announced that it would discontinue transport-related services from Wednesday onward, citing recent amendments to the Decentralization Act.

Speaking with Sun on Saturday, Kulhudhuffushi City’s Deputy Mayor Ahmed Abdulla confirmed that following the branch’s announcement, a number of essential services, including the issuance of driver’s license, had been halted in the city.

Responding to Sun’s questions, Nimal said the Kulhudhuffushi branch did not have the authority to cease the service, adding LGA headquarters only became aware of the suspension after the announcement was made public.

"All LGA branches have been instructed to ensure that services are provided without interruption, as they were previously, by the time offices reopen following this weekend break," Nimal said.

Nimal further stressed that no directive had ever been issued to suspend public services, emphasizing that the authority has no intention of restricting citizens’ access to essential services. He noted that the LGA’s primary focus remains on maintaining and improving the quality of service delivery.

He added that if there were a genuine need to suspend or interrupt any service, such instructions would be formally communicated to the relevant branches in writing.

"The [transport] services in [Kulhudhuffushi] were discontinued without consulting me or any relevant official at the LGA," Nimal clarified.

As such, the Kulhudhuffushi branch has been instructed to immediately reinstate all services. Nimal also assured that the authority would take the necessary steps to prevent similar unauthorized service disruptions from occurring in the future.