President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued a Presidential Decree, amending the administrative boundary of Maafaru, Noonu Atoll, to exclude Farumuli from its administration.
Farumuli and Kan’dinmahuraa were previously included within Maafaru’s administrative area under a Presidential Decree issued on 15 April, 2024. However, the new decree issued Sunday removes Farumuli from the administration of Maafaru. The decree was issued under the authority granted to the President by the Decentralisation Act.
Following this change, Farumuli has been designated for tourism development in accordance with the Maldives Tourism Act. Consequent to this amendment, the annex of the Decree on Establishing Inhabited Islands of the Maldives has also been updated and published in the Government Gazette.
Tourism development in the atolls remains a key policy of the government. The government has also been including uninhabited islands located near inhabited islands within their jurisdiction, such that the islands can be used for various economic activities. These measures are part of efforts taken by the government to empower local councils and enhance their financial sustainability.
According to the Constitution, the Maldives is to be governed under a decentralised system. The President is responsible for determining the jurisdiction of city councils and island councils in all administrative areas of the country under the Decentralisation Act.