Decentralization at early stage, reform through research and feedback: Minister

Minister of Local Government Adam Shareef Umar on Saturday, said the decentralization system in the Maldives is still at an early stage, adding its reform will follow proper research and feedback from public.

At the Decentralization Committee of the parliament, Local Government Authority (LGA)'s CEO Dr. Mariyam Zulfa recently said the authority intends to launch an MQA-approved course for local councilors prior to their swearing in.

The minister's remarks were made in line with LGA CEO's comments at the recent Decentralization Committee meeting.

Dr. Zulfa revealed LGA's plans following multiple complaints of councilors not fulfilling their legal obligations and responsibilities.

In response, the Minister of Local Government on X said that changes to the decentralization system must comprehensively resolve the issues in it.

Research from Maldives National University (MNU) and opinion of the parliament and public will precede reforms on the decentralization system, Shareef said and assured parliament will support policy reforms.

At the Decentralization Committee meeting, Zulfa had said training councilors was a consistent effort, and added they will make it compulsory for councilors to complete courses before they officially assume their responsibilities.

While the government had earlier assured reforms to the decentralization system to address its key concerns, Shareef said they were working to make local councils the primary authority concerned with developmental projects in the islands.