President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated amendments will be brought to the Decentralisation Act to massively benefit the councils financially.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Councillors Conference 2019 organised by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), President Solih revealed it has been decided to amend the Decentralisation Act to deposit 5% of state's income, 40% of income generated from leasing land plots, islands, lagoons and reefs and 100% rent of land leased from inhabited islands. Noting the decentralization system is an ideology supported by MDP which is implemented by the administration, he revealed many principles envisioned by the party to be granted to councils have so far not been accomplished.
Furthermore, President Solih stated islands are still dependent on the central government for development. The president expressed it is important to financially empower the councils to enhance the decentralisation system. In this regard, he noted it is crucial to identify systems to directly benefit the councils from the richness of the respective islands, adding an island style Maldives can only be seen then.
Moreover, the president stated the decentralisation system envisioned by MDP has now been drafted, highlighting the bill will be submitted to the parliament after including suggestions and ideas collected during the Councillors Conference. He shared with the councillors some amendments that has been drafted.
President Solih underlined MDP worked to grant necessary authorities to councils since its establishment in 2011, adding the party faced several difficulties and challenges in the past 8 years.