Housing ministry dissolved following minister's resignation

The Maldivian government has merged the ministry of housing and urban development and the ministry of national planning and infrastructure, and formed the ministry of national planning, housing and infrastructure.

The decision follows the resignation of Housing Minister Aminath Athifa, on Wednesday.

Confirming this, the President’s Office said that Athifa resigned “in light of poor health rendering her unable to perform the duties required of a cabinet portfolio”. She is to have shared details of her health condition with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, prior to making her decision.

Accepting her resignation, the president expressed gratitude to the now former housing minister “for her service and wished her well in her future endeavors”.

Following the resignation, the president decided to dissolve the ministry of housing and urban development and effect an administrative reorganization of the government, as per the executive authority vested upon him by Article 115 of the Constitution.

With this, the ministry of national planning and infrastructure has been renamed to the ministry of national planning, housing and infrastructure.

The ministry will also take over the responsibilities of the dissolved ministry, and staff previously employed at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development are to be transferred to the newly named Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.

Athifa is the second cabinet minister appointed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to resign. Former Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef resigned in February this year, amid a potential impeachment motion.