LGA concerned over proposed revisions to decentralisation act

Local Government Authority (LGA) has expressed concern over the proposed revisions to administrative divisions under the Decentralisation Act.

Board member of LGA Ahmed Faisal said that the ongoing debate at the Parliament to revise the Decentralisation Act may result in the formation of new councils and introduction of more personnel into the system, which may not be the best thing for the decentralization system in the Maldives.

“The introduction of more personnel may not be the best thing for us right now. One and a half years after introduction of this system, it still hasn’t been put in order,” Faisal said.

The proposed revisions to Decentralisation Act is to remove City Councils’ authority to form district boards, to transfer district boards to district councils, elect members to these councils, and recognise them officially.

Faisal acknowledged that the Act requires revision, however was concerned over the revisions which have been proposed. Efforts are underway by LGA to make necessary revisions to the administrative divisions under the Decentralisation Act.

“We have to think about the interest of the nation when we consider revising the administrative divisions. Introducing a system without considering its economic viability will not function,” he said.

He added that LGA does not believe that the introduction of more councils, especially district councils, is the best thing for maintenance of peace and order in the country.