News

City Councils to be given authority to invest, lease and own investments

As part of the pledges for the first 100 days of the administration, the Cabinet has decided on devolving additional powers and responsibilities to the city councils, which had previously been taken over by individual ministries. The Cabinet made the decision in accordance with the Act on Decentralisation of the Administrative Divisions of the Maldives.

The powers and responsibilities to be transferred back under the jurisdiction of the city councils include the authority to invest, lease and own investments or allocating lands, reefs and lagoon areas for the socioeconomic benefit of the community. Also, the newly transferred powers of the city councils include the mandate to establish a system to assist and manage disasters for individuals in crisis.

At the Cabinet meeting, members agreed that the powers and responsibilities will be restored to city councils in accordance with the regulations and policies set by the relevant Ministries.