Kulhudhuffushi Island Council has revealed the administration has assured the island would receive the status of a city in February.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, member of the Haa Dhaalu Atoll Council Ahmed Athif said there are huge legal obstructions to giving the status of a city to Kulhudhuffushi. Noting that unlike Addu City and Fuvahmulah City, which consists of whole atolls, giving the status of a city to Kulhudhuffushi would mean that another island should be allocated as the administrative capital of the atoll. He said the necessity of being part of the Atoll Council, despite being a city, is also an issue. He said these are issues for which solutions have not yet been found.
However, Athif expressed confidence the issues would be solved via the ongoing efforts with the President’s Office and the Attorney General's Office. He expressed confidence any necessary procedure at Parliament would be carried out swiftly to facilitate the change of Kulhudhuffushi to a city in February.
Meanwhile, President of the Haa Dhaalu Atoll Council Hussain Hassan said the council is ready to provide all assistance required throughout the entire process. He also added many islands are expressing interest in becoming the administrative capital of the atoll, once Kulhudhuffushi becomes a city.
Any community with a population of 10,000 or more, can get the status of a city, according to the law. Statistics show that the population of Kulhudhuffushi exceeds 10,000.