Governments utilize decentralization system solely to secure public votes and win elections: Aiman
16 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 09:46Aiman, a member of the Local Council Association, stated that successive governments have been reluctant to devolve powers under the decentralization system due to fears of losing control over natural resources. He further noted that recent legislative amendments are undermining the financial autonomy of local councils, forcing citizens to become increasingly dependent on the central government.
Aiman Rasheed, a member of the Local Council Association, speaking during RaajjeTV’s "Falashurukhee" program. | RaajjeMV
Aiman Rasheed, a member of the Local Council Association, has stated that the decentralization system has now become a tool used by the government to secure votes and win elections.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program on Saturday, Aiman stated that no administration has genuinely intended to empower the public through a meaningful decentralized system.
Aiman stated that this was due to the narrowing of opportunities for the government to generate revenue through the utilization of the country's natural resources.
Decentralization has become a tool repeatedly exploited by various administrations to garner support, secure votes, and win elections. No government has ever genuinely intended to empower the people in a meaningful way. The primary reason for withholding this power is that granting citizens true control over their local or city resources would limit the central government's ability to exploit the nation's natural wealth and resources for its own financial gain.Aiman Rasheed
Aiman stated that following the 2019 amendments, councils elected in 2021 were granted a narrow window of financial empowerment to work alongside the public.
However, Aiman noted that over the past two years, previous reforms have been rolled back, leading to an even greater public dependence on the central government. He emphasized that any erosion of the councils' authority ultimately results in the disenfranchisement of the people.
Furthermore, he stated that local councils are the level of government closest to the people when it comes to addressing community issues or implementing development projects. He added that the ongoing amendments to the Decentralization Act are narrowing the opportunities available for citizens to advance their own economic development.
