Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has hailed President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's decision of designating Thinadhoo, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, as a city and granting the status of a city council to the island council.
In a press release by MDP following the decision, MDP applauded the amendment brought to the Decentralisation Act which enabled Thinadhoo to be granted the status of a city legally. It further extended heartfelt conveyed felicitations and sincere good wishes to the residents of Thinadhoo, the Mayor and the city council of the Thinadhoo as well.
MDP proclaimed that the status of city council was not attained by the Thinadhoo council previously was due to the unfamiliarity of the Decentralisation Act. It further revealed in the press release that Thinadhoo was officially designated as a city by the Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih from previous administration with the ruling party as MDP, highlighting that this marked a noteworthy milestone for the island. Regardless of the statement, observations unveil that Fuvahmulah attained its status as a city during the government with the ruling party as Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), which was followed by the decision of the party to grant Kulhudhuffushi, the status of a city in 2019 as well.
Thinadhoo was officially declared as a city by the previous government on August 30, 2023. The government acknowledged that this status change was politically motivated by the previous administration to successfully compete in the presidential election, without completing all necessary procedures. However, it affirmed the amendments of the law, legally announcing Thinadhoo's status as a city. The modification was approved by President Dr. Muizzu within last week.