In Olhuvelifushi, President Reveals Plan to Reallocate Atoll Council Funds to Address Social Needs

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced a major restructuring of decentralised governance funding, confirming that the resources saved from the abolition of the Atoll Councils will be entirely channeled into the budgets of the Island Councils to address the social needs of the people.

Addressing a community gathering in Olhuvelifushi, Lhaviyani Atoll as part of his ongoing tour of Lhaviyani and Kaafu Atolls, the President stated that this significant budgetary increase, expected to make next year’s island council budgets significantly larger than in previous years, will be specifically earmarked to address acute social needs at the community level.

Speaking on the reallocation, President Dr Muizzu explained that the funds will be utilised to provide direct assistance to the socially vulnerable.

"When there are no Atoll councils, the funds that we save can be spent on the social needs of the people," he said, stipulating that the councils will be required to use the additional funds to assist those in need, including the disabled, emergency relief efforts, and various other community assistance programmes.

Additionally, the President confirmed that next year’s island council budgets will not only include these newly transferred proceeds but will also encompass all public projects signed and initiated this year, alongside remaining development projects promised to the public.

This financial empowerment, according to the President, ensures that people across the Atolls will receive necessary assistance and fully benefit from government-led developmental and social works through their respective island councils.

During the address, President Dr Muizzu vowed to resolve the long-standing electricity issues plaguing Olhuvelifushi before the upcoming month of Ramadan, assuring residents that his administration is closely monitoring the situation to ensure swift action.

Addressing the longstanding concerns, the President highlighted the critical need to upgrade the island's electricity network. He noted that the unresolved power problems have severely impacted essential services, including hindering the proper utilisation of new sewerage facilities and limiting the full functionality of the local health centre, despite recent expansions.

"The aim is to solve the sewerage problem and the electricity problem for the health centre within this year. The electricity problem will be solved before Ramadan at the latest," he said, emphasising that the President's Office would maintain close oversight of the matter.

He further assured that Fenaka Corporation Limited, the state-owned utility company, would receive all necessary assistance to expedite the resolution.

Beyond electricity, the President also touched upon other key development initiatives for Olhuvelifushi. He acknowledged delays in the construction of 10 classrooms in the island school by a private company, confirming that payment for completed work has been made and the company has been urged to complete the project. He also announced that the next year's budget would include provisions for developing a multipurpose hall at the school.

President Muizzu reiterated his commitment to fulfilling public promises, including the imminent release of funds for a new volleyball court. He also pledged to initiate a comprehensive road construction project and bring holistic development to all areas of the island, underscoring his administration's dedication to improving the quality of life for Olhuvelifushi residents.

The President during his visit, witnessed the groundbreaking on the National Quran Centre branch in Olhuvelifushi, a new island council secretariat building, a police station, a fitness and recreation centre and the signing of the contracts for land reclamation, coastal protection and renovation of the island’s boat yard.

He also took time to met with members of the Olhuvelifushi Island Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions to discuss the island’s key development priorities.

During the meeting, the council outlined the island’s key development priorities, including operationalising the completed sewerage system and improving the related electrical network. They also requested upgrades to the island’s overall electricity supply including electrical connections for the new health centre, and the expedited completion of the new school building. Additionally, the council emphasised the need for essential medical testing facilities and a dedicated sea ambulance for the health centre, as well as the construction of roads, a futsal pitch, and lighting for the football field.

President Dr Muizzu assured that the concerns raised would be addressed.

The President kicked-off the two-day visit to the inhabited islands of Lhaviyani Atoll and several islands of Kaafu Atoll on Monday.

His itinerary includes visits to four islands in Lhaviyani Atoll including Naifaru, Hinnavaru, Kurendhoo, and Olhuvelifushi. In Kaafu Atoll, he will visit Kaashidhoo, Dhiffushi, and Thulusdhoo.

This visit is part of the President’s nationwide initiative to visit all the atolls, to strengthen direct engagement with atoll, island, and city councils to advance development across the country.