President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has firmly rejected opposition claims that his administration intends to restore the former Atoll offices and appoint political leaders to govern them, asserting that the newly established Local Government Authority (LGA) offices in the atolls will operate purely as administrative branches without political leadership.
Speaking during PSM's flagship program "Nation Chat: With the President," President Muizzu addressed growing criticism from opposition figures who alleged that the government was attempting to recreate the old Atoll office system, which they characterised as a mechanism for centralised political control over the islands.
The President categorically denied these accusations, emphasising that his administration has no intention of reinstating the governance structure that existed prior to the recent legislative changes.
"I have no intention of restoring the old Atoll offices. The LGA offices that are being established will function as administrative extensions of the authority,” he explained.
He further explained that the government has proposed naming these new offices after LGA's Atoll offices, following the authority's official submission of proposed names for consideration.
The President's comments come in the wake of significant legislative changes to the Maldives' decentralisation framework. Under the recent amendment to the Decentralization Act, the Atoll Councils have been formally abolished, with the responsibilities and powers previously held by these bodies now being decentralised at the administrative level through the LGA structure.
When questioned about the nature of leadership within these new administrative offices, President Muizzu offered a perspective that directly countered opposition criticisms. He argued that an appointment of Atoll Chiefs or Governors to these positions would fundamentally mirror the democratic process previously employed for electing Atoll Council Presidents.
"If you have to put political leaders in these positions, what is the alternative worth considering? Otherwise, you should keep the Atoll Council President elected as before,” he added.
The government has moved quickly to reassure both the public and the employees affected by these structural changes. President Muizzu emphasised that the salaries and positions of all personnel currently working in these offices will remain completely unaffected by the transition.
According to the President, the newly established LGA offices will continue to deliver the full range of services that were previously provided by the LGA headquarters directly to the island councils. Additionally, these offices will take on the responsibility of providing necessary training and capacity-building support to local councils, thereby strengthening their institutional capabilities. The President described this arrangement as a means of enhancing rather than diminishing the relationship between the central authority and local governance bodies.