Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has stated that the current administration is refusing to recognize Gaaf Dhaal Thinadhoo as a city.

The statement was made by the MDP parliament member for Hulhumale' constituency Ali Niyaz, during the MDP National Assembly meeting held on Thursday.

Noting that former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had declared GDh. Thinadhoo as a city, Niyaz stated that the Local Government Authority (LGA) has informed the Thinadhoo Council that the authority will not be accepting the decree declared by President Solih, granting the island the status of a city.

He stated that the LGA claims that President Solih's decree is devoid of some requirements that the island must meet in order to be given the status of a city.

Niyaz also went onto say that the decree made public, granting Thinadhoo the status of a city cannot be altered, noting that there is no reason to do so either.

He also stated that President Solih declared Thinadhoo a city, after taking into account the legal requirements.

Additionally, Niyaz promised that the government would be held responsible and that a parliamentary committee would investigate the issue.

Thinadhoo was officially declared a city, by the former president, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, under the powers vested in him by Section 51 (a) of the Decentralization Act of the Maldives.

As such, Thinadhoo was officially deemed a city from 30 August 2023 onwards and the declaration was publicized in the government gazette.

The decision was reached due to the island’s substantial population as well as its pivotal role in providing a wide array of services to the residents of the atolls.

According to the Maldives Constitution, islands with a population over 10,000 will be declared a city.

Further, should an island or region apply for city status and meets the requirements specified in the Decentralization Act, the president is authorized to grant city status for that island or area.

The former president in his decree declared that Thinadhoo has met these requirements.