Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has revealed plans to amend the Decentralisation Act to enable local councils to generate a revenue which would cover more than just recurrent expenditure. The Home Minister made the remarks, during the nationwide address delivered to coincide with the Decentralisation Day.
In the address, Home Minister stated, all responsibilities were handed over to the central government during the past years resulting in a third of the total population of Maldives migrating to Male', as all services are available in the capital city.
Furthermore, Minister Imran stated, the population of the islands have decreased while the population of Male' is increasing, despite major issues of congestion. Noting one of the most important changes brought by the new constitution was decentralisation.
The Minister added, the main aim of decentralisation is to grant decision making powers to people so that issues related to the people can be solved through their contribution. The minister reiterated, the most crucial step towards solving major political and socio-economic issues is implementing the Decentralisation Act.
Moreover, the minister said, when the Decentralisation Act is amended, the powers of governing the islands will be given to the respective councils, noting arrangements would be made to enable local councils to generate a revenue which would cover more than just recurrent expenditure.