President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a series of major changes to the country’s local governance structure, including the establishment of separate council administrations for Addu Meedhoo and Addu Hulhudhoo, the reorganisation of the Addu City Council administration, the dissolution of Haa Dhaalu Hirimaradhoo Council and its secretariat, and the abolition of all Atoll Councils and their administrative offices.

The changes were formalised through a President's Office Directive issued on Sunday. The directive enforces previously issued Directives and introduces substantial revisions to Addu’s administrative structure with effect from today.

Under the new arrangement, Addu Meedhoo and Addu Hulhudhoo have each been designated as separate inhabited islands, with individual Island Council administrations established for both islands.

The islands of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo have been consolidated into a single administrative island under the name “Addu City”. The administration of the Addu City Council has been restructured to reflect this change.

The directive also sets out the official English names of the newly created administrations as the Secretariat of the Addu Meedhoo Council and the Secretariat of the Addu Hulhudhoo Council.

For official correspondence issued by State institutions, code number 1140 has been assigned to the Secretariat of the Addu Meedhoo Council, while code number 1141 has been assigned to the Secretariat of the Addu Hulhudhoo Council.

The President also dissolved Hirimaradhoo Council and its secretariat following the decision by the island’s residents to relocate to Hanimaadhoo. As Hirimaradhoo has now been redesignated as an uninhabited island, the council and its administrative office ceased operations with effect from today.

In addition, the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act provides for the abolition of all Atoll Councils and their administrative offices, which have now been dissolved with immediate effect.

The President stated that this decision was taken in accordance with the legal provision stipulating that Atoll Councils are to be abolished once the earliest possible Local Council Elections are held and the newly elected members assume office.