President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed hope that the role and responsibilities of local councils will be strengthened following the upcoming Local Council and WDC elections, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to delivering services closer to communities.

In a message issued to commemorate Decentralisation Day, President Dr Muizzu extended greetings to the public and to officials working in the decentralisation sector. He said the Government remains committed to engaging with communities and responding more closely to public needs.

Highlighting the Maldives’ geographic structure as a nation of dispersed islands, the President said decentralised service delivery has long been a practical necessity. He noted that the current constitutional framework has further enabled the strengthening of decentralised governance, and said efforts over the past two years have focused on expanding services and building public confidence in local institutions.

The President said initiatives have been taken to strengthen the financial capacity of local councils, formalise the roles of Women’s Development Committees, and improve remuneration for council employees. He added that several measures sought by councils since the enactment of the Decentralisation Act have now been implemented.

He further pointed to ongoing infrastructure and service expansion in the islands, including the construction of new council buildings, the extension of health and education services, ATMs, ID card and passport services, and the rollout of additional public facilities. The President said development works such as road upgrades and harbour projects are being carried out concurrently across multiple islands, alongside plans to expand access to basic water and sewerage services.

The President said sports facilities and public parks are also being developed in island communities in efforts to improve quality of life. He further noted that the Government is working on long-term responses to public concerns including undocumented expatriates, narcotics trafficking and gang-related crime.

Referring to the Maldives 2.0 digital transformation agenda, the President said expanded digital services are expected to improve access to Government services and create additional opportunities for income generation from the islands, supporting decentralised economic activity.

The President concluded by expressing hope that the upcoming Local Council and WDC elections will further strengthen local governance and enable closer cooperation between councils and the central Government to advance development and prosperity across island communities.