President Muizzu re-establishes Atoll Offices, restoring administrative structure from Maumoon's era
Following recent amendments to the Decentralization Act, the President has decided to dissolve atoll councils and reconstitute them as administrative atoll offices operating under the Local Government Authority (LGA). To ensure a smooth transition, the President has issued directives to guarantee job security for all existing council staff, maintaining their current salary structures and benefits without any reductions. Under this new administrative framework, these institutions will be officially designated as "Local Government Authority - [Atoll Name] Office."
President Dr. Muizzu meets with the Baa Atoll Council (File Photo). | president office
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has re-established Atoll Offices, reverting to the administrative structure used during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s tenure, effectively abolishing the Atoll Councils created under the decentralization system.
As the new councils were sworn in on Sunday, atoll councils have effectively been dissolved following an amendment to the Decentralization Act introduced by the current administration. Furthermore, the government has decided to place atoll administrations under the Local Government Authority, mirroring the operational structure of the former Ministry of Atolls.
In a letter sent to the Local Government Authority (LGA) on Sunday, the President's Office stated that offices established across administrative divisions to provide the authority's services under Section 85-1 of Act No. 7/2010 (Maldives Decentralization Act) are integral components of the LGA rather than independent government entities. Consequently, the President has advised that instead of assigning unique names to these branches, each should be designated as the "Local Government Authority - (Atoll) Office."
Furthermore, following the amendments to Law No. 7/2010 (Maldives Decentralization Act), administrative bodies of Atoll Councils will be dissolved upon the expiration of the current councils' terms. Consequently, it is advised that all employment matters concerning staff currently working at these administrations be managed in accordance with Section 58 of Law No. 22/2025 (the 17th Amendment to the Maldives Decentralization Act).
The letter further stated that the President has instructed relevant authorities to ensure that the administrative arrangements for these employees are managed in a way that guarantees job security and maintains their current salaries and benefits without any reductions.
Following the President's directive, Atoll Councils will revert to being designated as Atoll Offices. Under this change, instead of the Atoll Council title, these administrative bodies will be identified by the office name preceded by the respective atoll's code. For example, they will be styled as: Local Government Authority - Kaafu Atoll Office.
