President Abdulla Yameen has passed the government-sponsored amendments to the Decentralization Act, which drastically alters the composition of the board of directors to the Local Government Authority (LGA).
The amendments were passed on April 12th, with haste as they were debated on the day following its proposal. The parliamentary review committee which analyzed them did not make significant changes, and it was passed within a day.
The government proposed amendments to articles 62, 63, and 64 which concern the composition, appointment, and terms of members that sit at the Local Government Authority’s board of directors, which is charged with holding local atoll councils accountable.
Prior to the amendments passing, the board consisted of a member from the capital’s city council, four elected representatives of atoll councils, a civil society organization member appointed by the parliament, a member of the general public – also appointed by the parliament, and a cabinet minister chosen by the president.
As per the amendments, the board will consist of the LGA’s CEO, a cabinet minister, a ‘female official with a background in social equality’ work, an individual experienced in public administration, and member from a civil society organization. All five members will be appointed by the president.
While all board members are given a tenure of five years, their allowances and responsibilities will be set out by the President’s Office as well.
Opposition leader and former longstanding President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had described the move as disappointing, and one that handicaps local government and causes more centralization of power.
