President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the government is strengthening the decentralized system and proving it. Speaking at a meeting with the people of F. Nilandhoo, the President said that as someone who has experienced the decentralized system, he is well aware of the challenges faced by councils and Women’s Development Committees. In this regard, he mentioned that one of the most important aspects is that the government’s trips to the atolls are also an effort to meet with people and councils closely, making it easier for people to present their concerns to the government, simplifying a previously difficult system.
The President has promised to visit every inhabited island twice during this term. He said that so far, he has met with all councils in the Maldives, and the second round is also nearing completion. The President stated that by the first week of next month or mid-next month, the work of meeting all councils for the second time will be completed. “Today, after meeting with this island’s council, we have met with all councils in the country, and for the second round, we have met with 86 councils. As the government completes two years, we are practically working on championing this system. I am going to the people, bringing along heads of companies and ministers,” the President said.
The President said that as someone who has experienced this system, positive changes are also being brought to Women’s Development Committees. This includes efforts to provide Ramadan allowances, as well as increasing the budget allocated to WDCs from the council budget. “We have decided to increase the 5% given to WDCs from the council budget to 10%. This is in addition to salaries and allowances,” the President said. He also highlighted in his speech that very important changes will be coming to the decentralized system starting next year.
