The Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar has stated that the decentralised system in the Maldives could be strengthened through a collaborative effort between the state's three powers and the media. 

The Minister emphasised that this transformation requires active citizen engagement, with Maldivians supporting, monitoring, understanding and nurturing the concept of decentralisation.

Speaking at the Kangathi Awards ceremony organised by the Local Government Authority (LGA) at Meerumaa, Minister Adam Shareef explained that people's governance forms the cornerstone of the decentralised system. This framework, he noted, is designed to deliver services through an organised structure that maintains close community connections and responds effectively to public needs.

The Minister detailed three crucial elements for strengthening the decentralised system: 

- Upholding and revitalising decentralised administration as outlined in Chapter 8 of the Maldivian Constitution. 

- Recognising councils as integral government components, operating under democratic and accountable principles according to Article 232(a) of the Constitution. 

- Increasing public participation in council decision-making and fostering greater trust between councils and communities.

During the ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of ranked councils, Minister Adam Shareef outlined his vision for comprehensive societal participation in the decentralisation process.

He concluded by reinforcing that both the Constitution and the Decentralisation Act clearly establish council offices as the primary point of contact for public affairs, underlining their essential role in local governance.