Public Works Units to hire 516 employees and procure $9.1 million in equipment
The Ministry of Finance has received a proposal to procure $9.1 million worth of machinery to establish public works units in 19 islands across the Maldives for the maintenance of harbors and roads. While the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works states that the project aims to reduce the costs of maintaining essential island infrastructure by hiring staff through the Civil Service, the move has drawn criticism from the opposition, who have raised concerns over a surge in government recruitment ahead of the upcoming elections.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Minister of Cities, Adam Shareef Umar. | President's Office | Presidents Office
Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has announced the government's decision to recruit 516 employees across four mobile units to strengthen the Public Works Unit.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister stated that detailed budget proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance to procure the machinery and construct the facilities required to develop Public Works units across various regions of the country.
The Minister stated that these units are set to be established across 19 islands. He further noted that the project aims to reduce the expenditure incurred on the maintenance of public services within these communities.
We are currently procuring nine types of machinery for each unit. This initiative encompasses 19 public works units as well as four mobile units. These units will be responsible for the repair and maintenance of harbors and roads. A proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the procurement of equipment valued at $9.1 million.President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Minister of Cities, Adam Shareef Umar
The Minister stated that these positions will be established directly within the Civil Service. Consequently, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) will oversee the recruitment process and all related administrative matters.
The Minister's remarks come at a time when the government has announced more than 140 vacancies at Road Development Corporation (RDC) sites ahead of the upcoming elections. With Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) also advertising numerous job openings, the administration is facing heavy public criticism. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been particularly vocal, expressing significant concern and condemning the move.
The party has brought the matter to the attention of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), alleging that the government’s primary strategy for securing votes is the mass distribution of jobs within state-owned enterprises. The MDP stated that due to this continuous hiring, the number of employees across government utility companies has now surpassed 15,000.
