President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated the positive impact of appointing a fulltime minister to oversee council affairs is evident.
Delivering his first Presidential Address, President Dr. Muizzu underscored key governmental policies aimed at empowering local councils. He emphasised the importance of reinforcing the decentralisation system and modernising citizen services to enhance council empowerment. Expressing commitment to collaborative governance, he pledged the government's support in increasing council revenues and capacities.
Additionally, President Dr. Muizzu identified the delay in island development attributed to the absence of approved land use plans as a significant hurdle. To tackle the issue, he pledged to finalise land use plans for all islands before the end of the year. Emphasising action over rhetoric, he assured that the government would fully implement decentralisation measures and optimise service accessibility for citizens.
Furthermore, President Dr. Muizzu acknowledged the service delivery challenges arising from inadequate office space within government agencies. To tackle the issue, he announced plans to initiate construction on a suitable building in Hulhumale' this year, intended to accommodate numerous government offices. He also said that the initiative aims to empower councils in delivering seamless services to residents across the the islands in the country.