Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has announced that the government's strategic decision to engage in discussions with councils has significantly expedited the developmental efforts undertaken by the ministries. The statement was made during a media briefing where information about ongoing projects and initiatives by the ministry was disclosed.
A pivotal initiative of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has been the comprehensive meetings held with councils across various atolls and islands. To date, the president has visited 60 islands from 17 different atolls and engaged in discussions with 150 councils, encompassing island councils, atoll councils, city councils, and members of the Women's Development Company (WDC).
Minister Adam Shareef emphasised that the establishment of a dedicated ministry to collaborate with councils was a noteworthy reform introduced by President Dr. Muizzu. This initiative, he noted, reflects the president's commitment to fostering decentralisation and working closely with the public.
Minister Adam Shareef affirmed that the ministry has conducted individual meetings with 90 different councils to assess the needs of residents and determine further requirements for island development. He highlighted that these consultations have played a crucial role in prioritising projects and expediting their implementation.
Several councils have voiced concerns about incomplete projects due to insufficient monitoring, urging the government to expedite the resolution process.
President Dr. Muizzu has undertaken significant measures to empower councils and establish independent islands. These initiatives include allocating an uninhabited island for every residential island for economic activities and ensuring that councils receive a designated portion of the tax collected by the government from industrial activities. Amendments to tax and tourism laws have been proposed, and commitments have been made to increase block grants while strengthening the foundation of the WDCs.