Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has highlighted that positive changes in the decentralisation system can only be achieved through collective effort. He made the remarks during a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Decentralisation.
Speaking to the committee, Minister Adam Shareef noted the substantial work done to amend the Decentralisation Act. He, however, acknowledged the impact of these procedural changes remains unclear. He also noted public concerns about the need for further amendments to the law.
Additionally, Minister Adam Shareef pointed out that the efforts so far reflect a public desire to use the decentralisation system. He emphasised the importance of good intentions in making these amendments, stressing that while changes in the political landscape occur with shifts in government, no political party has benefited from them. He said that changes to decentralisation have been driven by emotions rather than practical needs, in some cases. Despite this, he expressed confidence that the ongoing changes would remove party biases and strengthen the overall system.
Referring to specific amendments to the Decentralisation Act, Minister Adam Shareef noted that the powers of atoll councils are currently limited. He also advocated for expanding the services provided by these councils, including offering legal and professional support to local island councils and developing human resources through a structured system.
Furthermore, Minister Adam Shareef noted the government's significant efforts to improve the management of administrative areas. He praised the Local Government Authority (LGA) for its role in facilitating communication between councils, government ministries, and companies, as well as resolving conflicts between the public and the councils. He also said that the councils are addressing their concerns regarding government decisions through the cities ministry.
The Ministry of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works is currently working to identify further steps to strengthen the decentralisation system. As such, the ministry informed Parliament that it is developing a roadmap to gather public input on these efforts. The ministry also plans to meet with councils and get opinions, as well as seek insights from individuals who have previously worked in councils or were involved in drafting the original law while in Parliament.