Abolishing Atoll Councils has halted the conveniences previously available to islands; the system must be restored: Ziyad
The Member of Parliament for Vaikaradhoo has backed a bill proposed by the Galolhu North MP to restore the Constitution to its original state, arguing that the dissolution of atoll councils has undermined the decentralization system. Highlighting that the previous changes have halted numerous essential services for island communities, members emphasized the necessity of amending Article 230 of the Constitution to ensure the effective operation of a fully decentralized administrative framework.
MP for Vaikaradhoo constituency, Hussain Ziyad, speaks during a session of the People's Majlis. | People's Majlis
The Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency, Hussain Ziyad, has stated that the dissolution of Atoll Councils has stripped islands of numerous essential services and conveniences they previously enjoyed. He emphasized that to resolve these challenges, the constitutional framework must be restored to its original form.
Ziyad made these remarks during the debate on a bill submitted to the People’s Majlis, which seeks to reinstate atoll councils to their former status. The bill aims to ensure the effective functioning of the decentralized system as envisioned by the Constitution.
During the debate on the bill, Ziyad stated that the abolition of atoll councils has resulted in the loss of numerous conveniences previously available to island communities, and that structural changes are necessary to address this issue. In this regard, Ziyad emphasized that the first step must be to restore the Constitution to its previous state.
What I am saying is that the dissolution of atoll councils has resulted in the loss of many conveniences previously available to the islands, and a solution is urgently needed. It is for this reason that the Member for North Galolhu has proposed this amendment—to restore the Constitution to its previous state.Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.
The bill was introduced to the People’s Majlis by the Member for North Galolhu, Mohamed Ibrahim. The motion contends that the dissolution of atoll councils under the current administration has undermined the decentralized governance system envisioned by the Constitution.
Consequently, Kudoo has proposed an amendment to Article 230 of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives. The proposal seeks to reinstate atoll councils to their previous status rather than dissolving them, ensuring the effective operation of the comprehensive decentralized system envisioned by the Constitution.
