Significant efforts made over past two years to empower local governance and restore public trust in decentralized services: President Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that significant efforts have been undertaken over the past two years to empower decentralized services and bolster public confidence in the system.

President Muizzu made these remarks in his message on the occasion of Decentralization Day. In his address, the President noted that given the Maldives' geographical formation as a scattered archipelago, historical records and ancient official documents demonstrate that state services have been provided through a decentralized framework since time immemorial. He further highlighted that the current Constitution has paved the way for the further strengthening and enhancement of the decentralized system of governance.

The President stated that over the past two years, significant efforts have been made to strengthen decentralized services and bolster public confidence in the system. He noted that several long-standing aspirations of councils since the inception of the Decentralization Act have now been realized, including expanding revenue streams for councils, ensuring the proper status and recognition of Women’s Development Committees, and increasing the salaries of council employees. In his message, the President further highlighted that the government has taken the lead in providing councils with necessary resources and constructing modern administrative buildings.

Furthermore, health, education, and other social services in the islands have been expanded. After many years, the government has successfully established police services and ATMs in every island, while also making ID card and passport services available in every atoll. The President stated that, by the grace of God, the greatest progress would be achieved in establishing sports facilities and parks across the islands. The President further noted that basic water and sewerage services would be completed for all islands. He highlighted that the past two years have seen the simultaneous execution of the highest number of infrastructure projects across the Maldives, including road construction and harbor development.

The President stated that the government has visited every island to gather public input for the formulation of the nation's master development plan. He noted that efforts are underway across all islands to find permanent solutions to pressing public concerns, including the surge in undocumented migrants, drug trafficking, and gang-related crimes. Furthermore, the President emphasized that as the goals of "Maldives 2.0" are achieved and the benefits of a digital Maldives are realized, citizens will see expanded opportunities to access services and generate income directly from their home islands.

The President expressed his hope that the upcoming local council elections would further strengthen the roles and responsibilities of the councils. He added that through close cooperation with the government, he envisions the aspirations of the beloved Maldivian people for local development and progress becoming a reality.

In his address marking Decentralization Day, the President claimed that significant efforts have been made to strengthen the system. However, utilizing the PNC’s supermajority in Parliament, numerous amendments have been made to the Decentralization Act, including reducing the number of council members and dissolving atoll councils. Furthermore, following changes to the national pay framework, many administrative staff at local councils have seen their salaries decrease. Notably, employees working in legal departments within these councils have faced even more substantial pay cuts.