Relations between the Maldivian Government and local councils have significantly improved over the past year, according to the Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar. Speaking on Haftha 52, a programme aired by PSM News to mark the government’s first year in office, the minister detailed initiatives aimed at advancing decentralisation and empowering councils.

Minister Adam Shareef emphasised the establishment of a dedicated ministry to oversee council affairs as a major step towards decentralisation. This initiative, he said, has strengthened collaboration between the government and councils, leading to improved service delivery and mutual trust. Over the past year, the ministry engaged with over 280 councils, while President Dr Mohamed Muizzu personally met with representatives from 169 councils, demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering closer ties.

Minister Adam Shareef stressed that true empowerment of local councils hinges on their financial independence. "The president has announced a policy allowing each council to acquire an uninhabited island, with several councils already submitting applications. Councils will also receive 10% of the green tax revenue generated by these islands. The President has instructed the Attorney General’s Office to expedite legal amendments needed to implement these changes," he stated.

Additionally, the minister highlighted the ongoing plans of constructing council buildings designed to create conducive working environments. He emphasised that councils require a supportive framework to function effectively, and the provision of proper infrastructure is a crucial step in this direction.

He affirmed that decentralisation has been widely supported across the Maldives, but acknowledged that past reforms to the Decentralisation Act were sometimes driven by emotion rather than research. Notably, he criticised the changes in council membership numbers, which fluctuated between five and three members, as being poorly substantiated.

To address these shortcomings, the government has undertaken extensive research regarding amendments to the Decentralisation Act. To date, 11 amendments have been enacted, making it one of the most frequently revised pieces of legislation in the Maldives.