President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that 1.4 billion rufiyaa from the block grants allocated to councils last year remains unspent in council accounts. While the government continues to provide block grants to councils, a total of 2.2 billion rufiyaa was disbursed as block grants to all councils in the country last year. Speaking at a meeting with the people of Eydhafushi, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu discussed the block grants given to councils and the accountability of councils.
The President said that the block grant given to councils is money allocated for providing municipal services to the people as stipulated by law, as well as for expenditures that benefit the citizens. He noted that while a total of 2.2 billion rufiyaa was disbursed to councils last year, 1.4 billion rufiyaa remained unspent in council accounts at the end of the year.. “This money is given to councils to provide municipal services. Therefore, it is mandatory for councils to spend this money. To do good things for the people. To improve the municipal services as stated in the law. But at the end of the year, half of it remains unspent,” said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The President said that even up to this point in the current year, a large portion of the block grant funds released is being saved. However, he also noted that councils do not disclose the purpose for which they are saving this money. The President said that some councils are using the block grant for unnecessary expenses such as overseas study tours. He appealed to the councils not to engage in such activities and to use the funds provided by the government for activities that benefit the people.
